Circa 1938-1969: The Fiesta disc water pitcher, also referred to as the disc water jug in Fiesta, Harlequin, Kitchen Kraft Dinnerwares: The Homer Laughlin China Collectors Association Guide (Schiffer Publishing, 2000), may well be the most universally recognized vintage Fiesta pottery form after the pitcher's appearance on a 2011 United States postage stamp. It's hard to believe the world had to wait two and a half years after the initial January, 1936, Fiestaware debut for the disc water pitcher to hit the American marketplace.
Large but not overwhelming, the Fiesta water jug holds 71 ounces and stands 7 1/2" tall. The breezy ocean blue turquoise glaze is the perfect color, metaphorically, for pouring a refreshing tall glass of water and remained in production for a cool 31 years. The popular water pitcher was reintroduced in the 1986 Fiesta release and is still produced today, making it one of the most longstanding pieces of pottery ever designed at the famous Newell, West Virginia, factory.
This classic piece of American pottery in Laughlin's original turquoise survives in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs, has a wonderful evenly dipped glaze, and is impressed in the mold with the company's "HLC fiesta MADE IN U.S.A" signature mark.
Bob Zordani and Heidi Kellner: (217) 714-5016, Champaign/Urbana, Illinois: zandk@zandkantiques.com
