2 Desert Rose Soup Bowls

PAIR OF FRANCISCAN DESERT ROSE RIMMED SOUP OR CEREAL BOWLS - EARLY GLADDING, McBEAN & CO. BACKSTAMP Two matching wide-rim soup bowls in Franciscan Desert Rose, the most popular American dinnerware pattern ever produced. Each has the broad flanged rim that makes this shape so attractive, with a soft-scalloped and gently waved edge, hand painted with open pink wild roses, pink buds, and glossy green leaves on tan twig sprays running all the way around the flange, over a warm off-white glossy body. These are the deeper rimmed soup and cereal size, useful for soup, chili, cereal, salads, and pasta, and they double as display pieces on a plate rack. Both carry the earlier Gladding, McBean & Co. backstamp rather than the later corporate marks. Sold as a lot of two pieces. Description Two Desert Rose rimmed soup or cereal bowls, round with a wide flanged rim, soft-scalloped and slightly waved edge, deep rounded well, and a low plain foot ring. Each measures approximately 7-1/2" to 8" in diameter across the rim and approximately 2" to 2-1/4" tall per the tape-measure photographs. Bidders should verify all dimensions from the photographs. Hand-painted underglaze Desert Rose decoration around the flange: open pink five-petal wild roses with yellow, brown-dotted centers, closed pink buds, and two-tone green leaves on tan-olive twig stems, with the soft green wash tracing the scalloped edge. Wells are plain glossy off-white. Backstamp on each: dotted oval mark with ring lettering reading GLADDING, McBEAN & CO. across the top and MADE IN U.S.A. across the bottom, enclosing Franciscan in script with a double registration mark over EARTHENWARE, and a single small letter beneath the oval. Attribution note Franciscan Desert Rose was introduced in 1941 by Gladding, McBean & Co. of Los Angeles and became the best-selling American dinnerware pattern of the twentieth century, made in California into the mid-1980s. Gladding, McBean was absorbed into Interpace Corporation in the early 1960s, so marks carrying the "Gladding, McBean & Co." company name are among the earlier Franciscan backstamps, generally predating the Interpace-era stamps and long predating the later Wedgwood-era England and Portugal marks. Reference sources including Replacements, Ltd. and the Gladding, McBean Franciscan archive document that progression of marks. These bowls therefore appear to be earlier American production than the Interpace-marked pieces in this collection, which collectors of the pattern often prefer. Dating is offered as the consignor's photo-based opinion drawn from the backstamp and is not guaranteed. Bid on the items as pictured. Condition Used vintage condition, sold as-is. Both bowls photograph clean and bright with strong color, glossy glaze, and no chips, cracks, or repairs observed. Expect normal age and use wear consistent with everyday dinnerware: light utensil and spoon scratching in the wells, faint gray marks and shadowy wear, a few small dark glaze specks including some near the backstamp, and shelf and stacking wear on the foot rings and undersides. The wide scalloped rims and the painted green edge line are the vulnerable areas on this shape - check both rims closely in the photographs for fleabites, nicks, and thin spots in the green wash. Small stilt or pin marks on the undersides are original manufacturing points, not damage. Photos are part of the description. Notes for bidders Hand washing is recommended on vintage Franciscan to protect the hand-painted decoration and the green rim line. Avoid abrasive scouring pads and sudden temperature changes. Only the two bowls pictured are included in this lot. Terms Sold as-is, where-is, All sales final. Please ask any questions before bidding. Buyer is responsible for pickup or shipping arrangements per auction terms.