Franciscan: California Dinnerware and Art Pottery
Franciscan is an American pottery brand produced by Gladding, McBean & Company at their Los Angeles, California factory from 1934 onward. The Franciscan line encompasses some of the most iconic mid-century American dinnerware patterns, including Desert Rose, Apple, and Ivy, which were enormously popular from the 1940s through the 1970s. The company also produced notable art pottery and fine china lines, making Franciscan one of the most widely collected California pottery brands.
History and Development
- 1875: Gladding, McBean & Company founded in Lincoln, California as a clay products manufacturer
- 1934: Franciscan brand introduced for their new fine tableware line produced in Los Angeles
- 1936: "El Patio" solid-color dinnerware line becomes the first major success
- 1941: Desert Rose pattern introduced; becomes the bestselling American dinnerware pattern
- 1940s-1970s: Peak production period; numerous hand-painted patterns produced
- 1962: Gladding, McBean acquired by International Pipe and Ceramics (Interpace)
- 1979: Los Angeles production ends; Franciscan name acquired by Wedgwood Group
- 1984: Production moves to England under Wedgwood; American Franciscan production ends
Major Lines and Patterns
- Desert Rose (1941-present): Hand-painted pink roses; the bestselling American dinnerware pattern ever
- Apple (1940): Hand-painted red apples on a green branch
- Ivy (1948): Green ivy vines on cream ground
- Starburst (1954): Atomic-age design; highly collected mid-century modern pattern
- El Patio (1934): Solid-color glazes in art deco forms
- Coronado (1936): Swirl-edged solid-color dinnerware
- Masterpiece China: Fine china line with elegant patterns
Identification and Marks
- Marks evolved over time: "Franciscan" with "Made in California USA" indicates Los Angeles production
- "Franciscan" with "Made in England" indicates post-1984 Wedgwood production
- Hand-painted lines (Desert Rose, Apple, Ivy) show individual brush strokes; each piece is unique
- El Patio and Coronado use solid-color glazes identifiable by specific period color charts
- Pattern names and Gladding, McBean marks appear on bases of earlier pieces
- Starburst pieces feature a distinctive atomic-age pattern that is unmistakable
Auction Price Ranges
| Item Type | Typical Range | Premium Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Desert Rose dinner plate | $8 - $20 | Complete service for 12: $300 - $800 |
| Desert Rose serving piece | $15 - $50 | Rare forms: $60 - $200 |
| Starburst dinner plate | $20 - $50 | Rare forms: $80 - $300 |
| Starburst serving piece | $30 - $80 | Covered casserole: $100 - $350 |
| El Patio piece | $10 - $30 | Rare colors: $40 - $120 |
| Coronado piece | $8 - $25 | Rare colors: $30 - $80 |
| Art pottery vase | $30 - $100 | Exceptional: $150 - $500 |
| Complete Starburst set | $500 - $1,500 | Extensive service: $2,000 - $4,000 |
Condition Factors
- Hand-painted decoration (Desert Rose, Apple) should be bright and unfaded
- Crazing in the glaze is common on older pieces and reduces value, particularly on cream-colored grounds
- Chips on rims and bases are common from everyday use and significantly reduce value
- Starburst pattern should show crisp, complete design; dishwasher damage fades the decoration
- El Patio and Coronado pieces should have even, unblemished glaze in their original colors
Collecting Tips
- Starburst is the most actively collected and valuable Franciscan pattern, driven by mid-century modern design enthusiasts
- Desert Rose is the most abundant pattern but rare serving pieces and unusual forms command premiums
- California-made pieces (pre-1984) are generally preferred over English production
- El Patio in rare colors (redwood, ivory, turquoise) is increasingly collected
- Complete table services are more practical than individual pieces, and this drives the market
- Franciscan is often collected alongside other California pottery brands (Bauer, Vernon Kilns, Metlox)