Inspired by the beautiful pink rosa rugosa flower, Franciscan‘s Desert Rose dinnerware line was a beloved, highly successful china pattern from 1941 to 2004. Though no longer in production, it remains one of the most popular china patterns in American history and is still highly sought after.
After decades of popularity, Franciscan Desert Rose was discontinued in 2013. Despite this, Franciscan Desert Rose china is still popular today. The pattern has become a classic and many people are still drawn to its unique design and vintage charm.
The enduring popularity of Franciscan Desert Rose China is a testament to its timeless design and superior craftsmanship. It still holds a special place in the hearts and memories of many and will forever be remembered as a beloved mainstay in American households circa mid-to-late 20th century (and beyond!).
Desert Rose china stopped being produced by Franciscan in the 1980s due to increasing costs of raw materials and production. In 1984, Franciscan Ceramics was sold to Josiah Wedgwood and Sons Ltd. Following the sale, production of Desert Rose was moved to England. In 2000, production again moved—this time, to China (the country, that is!).
Several unfortunate changes were made to the pattern after production left the United States. Most noticeably, some of the finer details like the scalloped edges and pronounced reliefs of the flowers, leaves, and branches faded away.
You can easily spot some of the differences in this picture comparing 3 dinner plates from the three countries where Desert Rose was produced.
