Who would have thought that some of today's hottest designs in modern dinnerware were patterns that were made over 50 years ago? There were many companies that produced modern day china, but companies such as Franciscan China, Salem China and the Metlox Pottery Company produced several extraordinary lines.

The parent company of the Franciscan China Company was Gladding, McBean & Co., located in Placer County, California. When the parent company was founded in 1875, it originally produced sewer tiles. Gladding, McBean & Co. introduced their first dinnerware line in 1934 which was called "El Patio". The company produced the pattern in eight new brilliant glazes that were similar to ones being produced by Bauer. The Franciscan division came into existence in the 1930's The Company continued to produce dinnerware and introduced two of the longest running American dinnerware lines of all time "Apple" and "Desert Rose". "Apple" was created in 1940 and "Desert Rose" was created in 1941. Franciscan started producing modern dinnerware around 1939 when the New York Museum of Metropolitan Art commissioned them to create a set of dinnerware that would latter be submitted for the 15 th Exhibition of Contemporary American Industrial Art. The line was named "Metropolitan" which was later renamed "Tiempo" in 1949. By 1954 the company introduced the very popular "Starburst" pattern which was a radical departure from their traditional forms and shapes. The irregular shapes and abstract design launched the company into the modern era of design and today "Starburst" has become highly collectable. There was a beautiful display of "Starburst" at the Denver Modernism's yearly show that brought back fond memories for a lot folks. "Starburst" is an extensive line and collectors would do well not to pass up any of the harder to find pieces which would be just about anything with a lid.

The Salem China Company of Salem, Ohio was founded in 1898 by Pat and John McNichol, Dan Cronin, and William Smith, all from East Liverpool, Ohio. From 1898-1960 the company was engaged in both manufacturing and distribution. The Salem China Company was more traditional than modern in its dinnerware designs. The single line that did stand out for being modern or Art Deco was "Tricorne". This line features three sided dinner plates, bowls and serving pieces. The creamers, cups, sugars and the Tea/Coffee pots all have modern Art Deco handles on them. Orange "Tricorne" is the easiest color to find. It was also made in green, plain white with various colored bands around the outside of dish and several different applied decals of various subjects. The teapot/coffee pot is the hardest item to find.

The Metlox Pottery Company was started by T.C. Prouty and his son Willis in 1927 and was located in Hermosa Beach, Ca. The company initially manufactured outdoor ceramic signs accented by neon lights. Metlox produced a huge number of dinnerware lines before it stopped production in 1989. The company hired Bob Allen and Mel Shaw as its art directors. The hiring of these men turned out to be a real triumph for the company because they brought new ideas to the company. Both men had years of experience working in the cartoon business and were able to make the transition from cartoons to pottery production with little trouble. Mel Shaw even worked on Walt Disney's Bambi and Fantasia films. Both men designed the shapes and design of the "California Free Form" and "California Mobile" patterns in 1954. In 1955 they also created the "California Contempora" and "Aztec" lines. All four lines share the same shapes. Each pattern can be identified by the colors: "Free Form" chartreuse and brown, "Mobile" purple and aqua green, "Contempora" black and gray. "Aztec" is a different pattern and should present no problem to collectors looking for it. The most desirable pieces are any of the pieces requiring a lid which where easily broken and the boomerang dishes. Metlox did mark Poppytrail on the bottom of most pieces except the saucers. The saucers by the way do not have the design on them and can be interchanged between patterns.

Many of these patterns can be found in antique shops and malls around the front range. Collectors can also find them on Ebay and China Replacements. "Starburst", "Mobile" and "Tricorne" were all available for sale at the Denver Modernism show held in August. You may also find these patterns at antique shows as well as the glass and pottery shows held in Colorado. Please see below for more information about glass and pottery shows.

At the Kirkland Museum in Denver many examples of the china patterns mentioned in this article are on display. The museum also contains hundreds of other fine and decorative art objects ranging from Kirkland paintings, to furniture, pottery, arts/crafts, prints and much more. I highly recommend that you visit the museum. The Kirkland Museum is located at 1311 Pearl St., Denver, Co. 80203 (303) 832-8576. The Kirkland Museum will also be exhibiting part of their collection at the RMDGS glass and pottery show next April in Castle Rock.

The Rocky Mountain Depression Glass Society will be holding a free "glass identification" session at the Antique Gallery, 5501 S. Broadway in Littleton, Co. 80121 between the hours of 11am and 4pm on the first Sat. of every month. Please limit yourself to 1-3 items for identification. The next sessions are Dec. 1 st, Jan. 5 th and Feb 2nd. The session is sponsored by the RMDGS.

Then next Denver Modernism show will be Aug. 15 - 17, 2008. The 3rd Annual Denver Modernism Show will be held at the National Western Complex, near the intersection of I-25 and I-70. Please visit their website at: ( www.denvermodernism.com).

The next RMDGS glass/pottery show will be in the beautiful Douglas County Event Center in Castle Rock. To get to the show from Interstate 25 take the Plum Creek Parkway exit 181 & turn east. Plum Creek is the most southern exit from Interstate 25 in Castle Rock. Show signs will be posted to help you find the event center location after leaving the interstate. The show hours for the public are Saturday April 26th (10-5) & Sunday April 27th (11-4). As in previous years, the 2008 show has approximately 34 of the most outstanding dealers from across the country. For the first time the show will include Early American Pattern Glass from the 1800's as well as early Carnival Glass.

To find out more about collecting glass and pottery please visit the following local area glass/pottery club websites: Denver: Rocky Mountain Depression Glass Society ( www.rmdgs.com) and Colorado Springs: Pikes Peak Depression Glass Club ( www.ppdgc.com). The RMDGS meets on the 3 rd Tuesday of every month in the basement of the Epiphany Lutheran Church located at 790 South Corona, Denver. The meeting starts at 7:30pm. The PPDGC meets on the 3 rd Thursday of every month at the Pikes Peak National Bank located at 2401 W. Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs. The meeting starts at 7 pm.