What is Franciscan Ware?

Franciscan Ware was a type of dinnerware produced by the Gladding, McBean & Co. ceramics company from the 1930s to the 1970s. In 1979, the brand was sold to the Wedgwood Waterford Royal Doulton china conglomerate.

The most popular pattern produced in Franciscan Ware was the Desert Rose pattern, which featured pink roses and green leaves painted around the raised rims of plates and bowls. Franciscan Ware drew on Spanish and Western styles of ceramics and featured thousands of different types of glazes. As of 2014, the Franciscan Ware Desert Rose, Fresh Fruit and Apple patterns are still produced by Wedgwood, but all other Franciscan Ware products have been discontinued.