The Collector's Guide to Fiesta Ware
Fiesta Ware 101
In 1936, these cheerful dishes shook up American tabletops with a mix-and-match approach that offered an alternative to the pattern-heavy place settings of the time. Nearly 80 years later, Fiesta's bright and bold appeal endures. Read on to learn more about the essential pieces for a vibrant collection.
The Fiesta ware featured in this story was kindly provided by Happy Heidi's Vintage American Pottery and Replacements.com.
The Essentials, Part 1
1. Mixing Bowls
A complete seven-piece set of these bowls will yield upwards of $3,000. (Single bowls start at $150.) Dark rings inside the bottom of the bowls date the pieces to 1936 or 1937 and up the estimated value by 25%.
2. Disk Pitchers
The most recognizable Fiesta piece is also one of the least expensive. Small "juice" pitchers fetch $75; larger "water" styles go for $200. Available in every color, pitchers are the sole focus of some collections.
3. Tripod Candleholders
The delicate edges of this Deco-style set make chip-free specimens a rare find (especially because the design was phased out just six years after its introduction). This red pair commands a premium at $575.
4. Marmalade Jar
Showing off the bulbous shape typical of Fiesta accessories, this mini pot was a staple of the line until 1946. Its relatively early departure increases its collectibility; today, it has a value of $400.
The Essentials, Part 2
5. Relish Tray
Showcasing all five original Fiesta colors, plus turquoise, this server is a collectors' favorite. A complete set, which consists of the outer tray and five inserts, nets about $500. Single inserts go for around $80.
6. Flower Vases
These vessels were sold in three heights—8, 10, and 12 inches—as part of the original product lineup. Red and turquoise ommand the highest prices; these 10-inchers garner estimates of $1,200 each.
7. Demitasse Coffeepot
This distinctive item was discontinued in 1942. (Attaching the stick handle by hand was too time-consuming.) Very few were made, even in yellow, the most common Fiesta color; this one sells for $600.
8. Onion Soup Bowls
This bowl and lid combo is the holy grail for collectors. Scarce in any shade, turquoise was made for only a few weeks in 1937 and today sells for more than $7,000. In other hues, it's a bargain at $800.
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