There are very few true American classics, but franciscan dinnerware may actually be one. These patterns are almost works of art in the traditional sense and brightens any table immediately. Today I’d like to discuss the world of Franciscan potteries for you so that we can narrow down the set that’s just right for your dinner table.
The first question most people ask is; are they casual or formal? That’s a very good question. If you look at the different patterns, your first thought is that they are casual. But at the same time these dishes have been used in the White House and other incredibly formal settings. I think it’s because of the pure elegance of the design. They may be casual, but they’re so beautiful that you immediately think they must be formal!
How about price?
As popular and beautiful as these dishes are, you’ll be surprised just how inexpensive they really are. You can find a 20 piece set for around $120 at places like Amazon, which is very competitive. Sure they’re not as cheap as $30 up from Wal-Mart, but in the world of high-class dinnerware, $120 for a 20 piece set is nothing!
Some of the most popular designs from Franciscan are:
- Franciscan Desert Rose
- Franciscan Apple
- Franciscan Antique Green Leaves
- Franciscan Arcadia
If I had to pick the most popular pattern I would say that it’s easily the Franciscan desert rose collection. This is the set your grandmother had on her Sunday table all those many years ago. While some of the pieces are have a white background, most seem to be cream colored with the delicate flower patterns around the outer sections of the plates and bowls.
Franciscan Desert Rose 20-Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4
At $116 this is a great deal and relatively easy to track down (some of them aren’t so easy to find any more). The dishes are hand painted and are dishwasher and microwave safe and also freezer safe. This set contains four place settings and each one has an 11 inch dinner plate and an 8 inch salad plate, as well as a 6 inch soup bowl, and an 8 ounce cup and saucer.
I should mention that this set and most of them that you’ll find are reproductions are usually made in China as opposed to being made in England or California as the original ones were. Some people suggest that the newer versions aren’t as high quality as the old ones and they may have a point but the only option is to track down individual original pieces which can be incredibly time consuming and very expensive. So keep that in mind.
Franciscan Dinnerware is some of the most best-selling dinnerware and American history. It’s a part of our culture that says something very important about where we came from and where we’re going. If you’re looking to capture a small piece of American history then Franciscan dishes are exactly what you’re looking for.
