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Prior to entering the art pottery and tableware business in 1934, Gladding, McBean, and Company had been manufacturing
terra cotta, tiles, and other clay products for many years. The California pottery chose the name Franciscan for their
dinnerware line. The name brought to mind warmth, history, and the colorful Spanish West.
Franciscan had many extensive product lines. Only a few patterns are mentioned here. The popular Coronado pattern was an early Franciscan shape first made in 1934. In 1940, Franciscan's handpainted Apple pattern was introduced, followed by other handpainted patterns: Desert Rose in 1941, Wildflower in 1942, and Ivy in 1948. Franciscan Fine China, introduced in 1942, has high translucency and is very thin and light in weight. Franciscan made a variety of lovely patterns and graceful shapes in fine china. The fine china line was renamed in 1958. The new name was Franciscan Masterpiece China. The very modern "space age" Eclipse shape was first made in 1954. The 1954 patterns in this shape were Eclipse White, Starburst, and Pomegranate. The Oasis pattern was added in 1955, and Duet was added in 1956. In 1958 Franciscan introduced a new line called Family China. This line was expanded and renamed Discovery China in 1965. Franciscan Family/Discovery China is a good weight, lighter than earthenware but heavier than fine china, with a glossy smooth finish. Franciscan Family China is durable enough for everyday use while retaining a more elegant feel. This line was permanently discontinued at the end of 1969. In 1962/1963 corporate changes made Franciscan a product of Interpace. In 1974 Alfred Meakin, an English pottery, was acquired by Interpace. In 1977, Franciscan was sold by Interpace to Josiah Wedgewood and Sons of England. Franciscan China continued to be made in California until July 1984. Although post-1984 English Franciscan is popular with many collectors, there is a large contingent of collectors who focus only on the pre-1984 American Franciscanware. Please visit us at Antique World Mall to see our selection of Franciscan dinnerware and many other fabulous finds. (The exact items pictured may not be available, as they may have already found a new collection to call home.) |
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Apple |
Desert Rose |
Duet |
Woodlore |
