The Decades-Old Dinnerware You Shouldn't Overlook At Thrift Stores & Estate Sales

Thrift stores and estate sales are some of the best places to score not only items for yourself, but to resell as well. One of the vintage tableware that's making a trendy comeback in kitchens and gracing the reseller market is Fiestaware. As the decades-old dinnerware that shouldn't be overlooked at thrift stores and estate sales, Fiestaware is becoming increasingly sought after for its retro, colorful styles and high resale value.

The Fiestaware company was founded in 1871 as the Homer Laughlin China Company. Throughout its early years, the company had experimented with various designs, but it gained its first major popularity selling its fun, vibrant products during the Depression era. Today, most Fiestaware pieces typically range from $15 to $100, but if you find a sought-after, valuable item, it can sell for significantly more. However, not all Fiestaware resales command a high price; instead, the high-ticket items typically fall under retired and discontinued colors and shapes. And once you find the piece, you need to know if it is authentic as well as its age.

Throughout the years, Fiestaware has featured a wide range of colors, and many of these hues have been retired or discontinued. These forgotten dinnerware tones are exactly what collectors and resellers are looking for to bring their kitchens retro charm. The original colors were red, ivory, cobalt blue, green, and yellow; however, only ivory remains as a current color. Other popular discontinued shades to look out for include medium green, rose, forest green, and chartreuse.

The shape plays a huge role, especially for pieces that were only made for a few years or discontinued right after manufacturing, like the lidded mixing bowls. Initially, the line consisted of 34 different pots, pitchers, bowls, plates, and other holders. Over the years, the company has introduced a variety of new designs and shapes. The most expensive pieces include the covered onion soup bowl, the lidded mixing bowls, and the full mixing bowl set in any of the original colors.

If you plan to sell vintage Fiestaware, it is important to know its authenticity as well as its age. Checking for both starts at the bottom of the dinnerware. Most pieces will have an ink mark or engraving. There have been a variety of official markings, including Fiesta HLC USA or HLC Fiesta Made in USA. Vintage pieces will have markings that include a three-digit date code, which signifies the production date. It's imperative to note that due to the smaller sizes of some items, there will be no official marking. Additionally, rare colors like medium green may require an extra piece from the same line for comparison. Therefore, if you purchase a piece and need authentication, reach out to an expert. 

Believe it or not, Fiestaware is still sold today; this means that not every piece of this colorful dinnerware is coveted. The older the piece, the more it is sought after, even with some of the current colors, such as turquoise. Make sure to follow the date code on the bottom to determine its age, or visit a specialized dealer for more information. You don't even have to sell your vintage Fiestaware; instead, your vibrant thrifted dishes are about to become your favorite wall décor with a cool DIY that will make a statement in your home.