/r/Fiestaware

Photograph via snooOG

Fiesta, aka Fiestaware, is colorfully glazed ceramic dinnerware introduced in 1936 and is still made by the Fiesta Tableware Company (formerly known as the Homer Laughlin China Company) in Newell, West Virginia.

WHAT COLOR/HOW OLD IS THIS?

Fiesta Factory Direct: Color History (production years of all vintage and modern colors, currently produced modern colors pictured)

Texas Cooking: Color Chart (list and pictures of all vintage/modern colors, up to 2018)

Texas Cooking: Identifying Fiestaware (explanation of date codes, markings and wordings, as well as the imprinted "H")

Post 86 Reference Guide: Colors Timeline (list and pictures of all modern colors, up to 2019)

Post 86 Reference Guide: Date Codes (all date codes used on some (not all) modern pieces)

Laurel Hollow Park: Fiesta Markings (explanation of differences between vintage and modern markings/stamps/incisions)

IS THIS VINTAGE?

Post 86 Reference Guide: What is this? (illustrates differences between vintage and modern pieces)

Vintage American Pottery (photos of nearly every vintage piece in all colors)

Happy Heidi's: History of Fiesta (photos and details of all vintage shapes)

Fiesta Dishes: Dating Your Fiestaware (explanation of date codes, markings and wordings, as well as the imprinted "H")

Laurel Hollow Park (historical and referential information on vintage pieces)

HOW MUCH IS THIS WORTH?

Current market value of any given piece can vary. Asking here is a good way to get opinions but checking online sellers like eBay and Etsy is also a good idea.

IS FIESTA SAFE TO USE?

Yes. Fiesta made from 1986 onward is lead free and the glazes contain no uranium oxides. However, vintage Fiesta (1936-1973) did use glazes that contained lead and uranium. There are many sources that have investigated the radioactive properties and the levels of exposure are so low as to be of negligible concern. There are materials all around us daily that expose us to radiation. As far the the lead content, humans have used lead-glazed dinnerware of all types for hundreds of years with no ill effects. However, as a caution, you may not want to store acidic foods in vintage dishware, and discontinue using pieces that are chipped or have damaged glaze.

Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity

Smithsonian Magazine: Is it Safe to Eat Off Vintage Plates?

/r/Fiestaware

8,949 Subscribers

3

What size bowl should i buy?

I want a fiestaware bowl, but am unsure what size to get. i’m having a hard time picturing the different oz sizes. does anyone have any recommendations or pictures of multiple bowls? i’m thinking the 22 oz cereal bowl or should i do the 28 oz gusto bowl? is the 28 too big?

7 Comments
2024/11/04
01:56 UTC

22

62 pieces scored off Facebook, help confirming colors? How’d I do on this haul?

I scored these off Facebook for $100 total from an elderly lady. Apparently there’s many more boxes to go. Wife and I have identified what we believe: Daffodil, Ivory, Lapis, Peony, Persimmon, Scarlet, Shamrock, Tangerine, and Cobalt.

4 Comments
2024/11/03
20:39 UTC

2

Nora Fleming holiday things

I have never seen the Nora Fleming items in an antique store before until now. Wanted to share. Brass Armadillo in PHX. On the Yuma Street aisle https://photos.app.goo.gl/DfS8vEWAo1uNGdLv6.

6 Comments
2024/11/03
04:08 UTC

44

Juniper Regrets

I don't know why but I've always loved Fiestware. Women in my family have collected other items, but not this. I decided it would be my wedding china when I was in junior high and followed through.

I got married in 2002 and loved the teal color of juniper along with cobalt and turquoise and a casual china pattern with blues and greens that I was getting. The biggest department store in town had a HUGE sale a few weeks before the event and I got so much Juniper. I wasn't a collector so I didn't know that's why it was on sale. Well long story short, I ended up in a bad marriage and eventually sold about six unpacked juniper four-piece sets (we got way more than we even registered for) on eBay to support his poor decisions. I framed it as sacrifices we had to make to myself.

I got gifts of some more random colors throughout the years, gained two beautiful kids, lost the deadbeat husband and dedicate myself to finding some more pieces someday. Flash forward to tonight, I am telling the kids about our dishes and how I'd like to get some more colors. I find a spreadsheet to track things. I finally look up Juniper tonight --- I had no clue it was around for only two years! I am kicking past me because not only did I compromise myself for a bad relationship (with two amazing silver linings) but I love the color and I had my hands on so much of it.

Unfortunately, it looks like after twenty years, moves and tbh lack of attention to detail on my part, of the one four piece set I had left, I have just the salad plate and mug. They are in a special place now. I have a pitcher, which I will cherish even more also.

Glad I could share with some folks that might care! Off to update this Google doc, and as you might guess, finding some Juniper pieces is on my to do list.

12 Comments
2024/11/03
02:31 UTC

11

Twelve copies of The Dish from 2001-2005

I’m not sure if this is allowed, but I’d like to give these copies of The Dish to someone, just pay for shipping. There are two from each year of 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005 and the full year (four copies) of 2003. DM me if interested

0 Comments
2024/11/02
18:02 UTC

235

Butternut soup in a lilac soup bowl.

I use all my lilac pieces. 💜

22 Comments
2024/11/02
18:01 UTC

13

Retired pieces

Just got another email announcing more retired items in the Fiesta line. 16 pieces. The biggest surprise to me was the small 5.12 inch footed bowl. I thought that was quite new. A lot of older pieces, including the classic pasta bowl and rim soup and chop plate, sugar and creamer, and bullion.

HL seems to be severely streamlining the entire Fiesta line.

5 Comments
2024/11/01
20:34 UTC

93

Fiesta in the bathroom? YEP!

19 Comments
2024/11/01
20:16 UTC

50

Happy Halloween

2 Comments
2024/10/31
12:30 UTC

92

Time for a Cup of Halloween Tea 🎃

9 Comments
2024/10/31
12:29 UTC

30

Happy Halloween

Dancing Skeleton plate.

5 Comments
2024/10/31
12:09 UTC

52

2 ladies on their way to the Fiesta outlet in Flatwoods

A couple weeks ago I stopped at a gas station and these 2 elderly ladies were trying to get to Flatwoods, WV. I asked if they were on their way to see the Flatwoods monster, she replied laughing, “No, we are on our way to the Fiesta Outlet.” They were lost. I helped her by pulling up google maps on her phone. I don’t know why I wanted to share this story here but I hope you ladies made it down there safe and found lots of deals.

9 Comments
2024/10/31
03:42 UTC

46

Spiked Hot Cider with friends!

3 Comments
2024/10/30
23:54 UTC

141

A decent day at the thrift store... $47 all told!

I love the HLC Denver mugs (in the front) and I'm super happy to have more Chartreuse, sea mist, and persimmon in my collection now!

The embossed Java mug is fun too, I almost missed it on the shelf

10 Comments
2024/10/30
23:38 UTC

12

Underplate for Gravy Sauceboat

I'm looking to purchase the gravy sauceboat, but I would like to have an underplate to go with it to avoid drips on the tablecloth.

I'm thinking the oval platter might be a good fit, but am not sure of what size fits best. The small is 9 5/8, the medium is 11 5/8, and the large is 13.6. I don't know the dimensions of the gravy boat

Can anyone advise? Or is there something else that would work better as an underplate?

12 Comments
2024/10/30
17:03 UTC

15

Help with a name

I know this is Homer Laughlin, not fiesta, but I’m having a heck of time tracking down the name. I believe it’s Dover, but can’t find this color or pattern, so maybe not? Any help, or resources? Thanks!

9 Comments
2024/10/30
15:26 UTC

44

Help with color id

10 Comments
2024/10/28
00:07 UTC

144

My first fiestaware, estate sale find

Was in the market for new dishes since I’m moving soon, spotted these at a local estate sale. Got the whole lot for $60 so im pretty pleased with it. Just need a few more of the plates and bowls to have a good useable set!

10 Comments
2024/10/27
13:25 UTC

40

Fall Foliage

I’ve always loved this pattern. This is the chop plate.

4 Comments
2024/10/26
18:19 UTC

Back To Top