Southwestern frenzy, trips to Tiawana and the romanticism of travel to Mexico found its way into the hearts of the American people and onto the sides of our tableware. The 1930s and 1940s were a time of exuberant optimism and the designs of Frederick Rhead's pottery, coming out of Newell West Virginia couldn't be more representative of the era.
Conchita is one of a small handful of southwestern themed decals utilized by Homer Laughlin during the 1930s. Slightly harder to find than Mexicana or Hacienda, the pattern is recognized by a grouping of a large yellow clay pot, a snake plant in a squat blue pot and a blooming cactus and when larger surfaces allow a hanging grouping of fruit on the right.
Circa 1938-1941: The Conchita decal consists of a snake plant in a blue pot inbetween a double yellow clay pot and a flowering cactus. A large grouping of colorful hanging fruit also adorn the scene. The Conchita decal is extra nice on largest made tray.
For Sale: $165
Circa 1938-1941: Marked on the reverse "Kitchen Kraft OvenServe", the pie plate with the Conchita decal pairing makes a wonderful addition to the vintage collection.
For Sale: $75
Hacienda in spanish can be translated as ranch or estate. The Hacienda decal is closely related to Mexicana but can be distinguished by the adobe building that frames the background. A wooden bench, large sombrero and cacti in the distance finish setting the southwestern scene.
Circa May 1941: The Hacienda Decal showcases a cascade of southwestern pots and cacti, a house in the background, and a bench with sombrero and Mexican blanket in the foreground. Shown here on the berry bowl.
For Sale: $35
Circa 1939: The Homer Laughlin oatmeal bowls are one of the harder shapes to find, perhaps because they are the perfect size for so many uses and were overused or damaged, perhaps less of them were made, in either case, it's always nice to find these elusive bowls. Marked. Measures 6 1/4" x 2".
For Sale: $60
Circa 1936-1944: Homer Laughlin's Century pottery line lended itself not only to Riviera, but to many of their decal ware lines as well. Mexicana, with its cascade of southwestern pots and cacti has become the most widely known of their many decals. It's extra nice on the batter tray with the multiple red stripes hand painted on the tab handles. This example is in good condition. Measures 11 1/2" Long.
For Sale: $135
Circa 1939: The century lines shapes were used on both Riviera pottery and on many decalware designs. The deep plate is a wonderful piece with scalloped edges and a nice gentle well that is accentuated with the decal scenes and outlined in hand painted red stripes. Excellent condition on this example.
For Sale: $55
Circa 1936-1939: Here is a fantastic sugar and creamer set of the original Homer Laughlin Pottery Company's Hacienda decalware on their famous Century line. This popular line boasts a profusely decorated display of Mexicana decals and is finished off with many hand painted red stripes.
For Sale: $165
Circa 1938: Embracing the popularity of the Southwest scenes of the 30s and 40s, Homer Laughlin's Mexicana decal has become the most widely recognized from the era.
For Sale: $35
Circa 1938: The American love affair with the southwest left us with a delightful range of whimsical tablewares from the 30s. The oatmeal bowl makes the perfect piece to celebrate the jubilee and the festivities are topped off with a bold handpainted red stripe. Marked. Measures 6 1/4" x 2".
For Sale: $55
Circa 1941: Homer Laughlin's Century pottery line lended itself not only to Riviera, but to many of their decal ware lines as well. Mexicana, with its cascade of southwestern pots and cacti has become the most widely known of their many decals.
For Sale: $85
Circa 1936: Homer Laughlin's Century pottery line lended itself not only to Riviera, but to many of their decal ware lines as well. Mexicana, with its cascade of southwestern pots and cacti has become the most widely known of their many decals.
For Sale: $50
Circa 1938: The humble 6" plate is an essential piece of a potteries line. Homer Laughlin celebrates it here with the addition of a Mexicana decal and a boldly painted red stripe.
For Sale: $25
Circa 1938: Mexicana, with its cascade of southwestern pots and cacti has become the most widely known of their many decals. This is an example of the 8 3/4" Century shape luncheon plate with the Mexicana decal - nicely stamed in gold on reverse.
For Sale: $50
Circa 1941: The large 10" dinner plate is the final plate in a tablewares set. The harder to find, large, 10" dinner plate is a delight to find with the Mexicana decal and marked "MEXICANA". Excellent condition on the Mexicana decal and boldly painted red stripe. No use, no damage. Marked on reverse. Measures 10 1/2"
For Sale: $75
Circa 1941-1943: Although similar to the Mexicana decal, the Max-i-cana decal has some added humanism with the addition of a sleeping figure in a large sombrero having a siesta against a cactus. A multitude of decorated pots adorn the foreground. Shown here on the captivating yellowstone Homer Laughlin shape.
For Sale: $195
Circa 1933-1940: From the Native American Tribes Series— Sometime in the 1930s Homer Lauglin China Company produced a few patterns of decals for their Native American Tribes collection. Represented were they Cheyenne, Crow, Sioux and Pueblo tribes and one decal depicting a pair of canoes. All are extremely rare and only a few pieces surface every decade.
For Sale: $495
Circa 1933-1939: We rarely see the syrup pitcher decorated in gold. This piece was probably a special order item and it was kept as special. Marked on the bottom of both pieces "WARRANTED 18 CARAT GOLD".
For Sale: $395
Circa 1940-1942: To find the striped vintage Fiesta pottery is a great treat and many collectors will never find these pieces in the wild anylonger. This example of the 7" plate with green stripes, made for Sears & Roebuck, is in excellent condition without damage to the cold painted stripes. An early plate, it is heavily hand tooled on the back and unmarked.
For Sale: $55
Circa 1940-1942: To find the striped vintage Fiesta pottery is a great treat and many collectors will never find these pieces in the wild any longer. This example of the 10" plate with green stripes, made for Sears & Roebuck, is in excellent condition without damage to the cold painted stripes. An early plate, it is heavily hand tooled on the back and unmarked.
For Sale: $145
Circa 1936: Unique Item (4 piece set)— Fiesta pottery was released in 1936 and was an instant sensation. This unique pair of cup and saucer sets must have been ordered as a special anniversary gift for someones parents 35th wedding anniversary. Both are flat bottom cups, with their original appropriate early saucers and both come with their original one-of-a-kind decals. A remarkable find for the advanced collector.
For Sale: $450
Circa 1939-1941: Interestingly the decal "American Chintz" was originally an all over pattern that was used by Woolworth's on the plates, platters, teacup, sugar and creamer and sauceboat. Only carried for a year, American Chintz was quickly discontinued and then Homer Laughlin cut up the decal sheets into smaller sprigs and used them on Kitchen Kraft pieces with the red stripes for added decoration on mixing bowls, casseroles and the pie plate.
For Sale: $75
Circa 1936-1941: Several cottage and castle scenes were used at Homer Laughlin during the 1930s. This is an example of "Morning Side" on an ivory century shape teacup and saucer set.
For Sale: $45