Vintage serving trays are more than just functional pieces; they are a slice of history, embodying the design aesthetics and cultural nuances of their time. Among the most sought-after are the vintage serving trays from Homer Laughlin China Company, particularly those that evoke a sense of joy and nostalgia – the “happy” trays perfect for serving a hearty steak or showcasing delightful appetizers. These rectangular beauties, often referred to as chop plates or platters, are not just serving dishes; they are collectible art. Let’s delve into the world of vintage Homer Laughlin rectangular serving trays, exploring their charm and why they remain so coveted.
The Allure of Vintage Homer Laughlin Serving Trays
Homer Laughlin, an American pottery icon, is celebrated for producing durable, stylish, and accessible tableware. Their vintage serving trays, especially from the Fiesta, Harlequin, and Riviera lines, are quintessential examples of mid-century design. Characterized by bold colors, simple yet elegant shapes, and concentric ring designs in some lines, these trays bring a retro flair to any collection. The term “chop plate,” while sounding specific, simply refers to a large, round or rectangular platter designed for serving meats – think of them as early “steak trays.”
Vintage Fiesta Chop Plates: Round and Ready for Steaks
While our keyword mentions “rectangular,” it’s important to appreciate the round chop plates of the Fiesta line, as they perfectly embody the “happy steak” serving concept. These robust, circular platters were designed to present steaks and chops with panache. Available in both 13-inch and 15-inch diameters, these vintage Fiesta chop plates, made between 1936 and 1969, feature the iconic concentric rings that are synonymous with the Fiesta brand.
15-Inch Vintage Fiesta Chop Plates
The grand 15-inch chop plate is the largest piece in the Fiesta line and a true statement piece. Hand-jiggered due to its size, it showcases the vibrant Fiesta glazes beautifully.
Vintage Fiesta Red 15″ Chop Plate (1936-1942): The iconic “radioactive red” glaze makes this chop plate a highly desirable collector’s item. Its bold color is instantly recognizable and adds a pop of vintage charm to any setting.
Vintage Fiesta Ivory 15″ Chop Plate (1937-1951): Elegant and versatile, the ivory glaze offers a subtle sophistication. Finding these in excellent condition is a treat, as the lighter color can sometimes show wear more easily.
Vintage Fiesta Yellow 15″ Chop Plate (1936-1944): Bring sunshine to your table with the sunny yellow glaze. These large chop plates in yellow are highly sought after for their cheerful disposition.
Vintage Fiesta Turquoise 15″ Chop Plate (1937-1959): The mesmerizing turquoise glaze on this expansive platter is a testament to Fiesta’s color mastery. It’s a fantastic example of mid-century modern design.
Vintage Fiesta Chartreuse 15″ Chop Plate (1951-1959): For those who love the 1950s palette, the chartreuse chop plate is a must-have. Its unique green-yellow hue is both retro and stylish.
Vintage Fiesta Rose 15″ Chop Plate (1951-1959): The delicate rose color adds a touch of softness to the robust chop plate form. This 50s color is known for its excellent shine and condition.
13-Inch Vintage Fiesta Chop Plates
Slightly smaller but equally charming, the 13-inch chop plates were produced until 1969 and are available in all eleven original Fiesta colors, including the rarer Medium Green.
Vintage Fiesta Red 13″ Chop Plate (1936-1942): Just like its 15-inch counterpart, the 13-inch red chop plate is highly sought after in this iconic color.
Vintage Fiesta Cobalt 13″ Chop Plate (1939-1959): The deep cobalt blue glaze exudes sophistication. Vintage cobalt flatware in excellent condition is particularly prized by collectors.
Vintage Fiesta Original Green 13″ Chop Plate (1936-1951): The original green glaze showcases the concentric rings beautifully, highlighting the craftsmanship of vintage Fiesta.
Vintage Fiesta Ivory 13″ Chop Plate (1937-1951): These ivory 13-inch chop plates often feature well-defined rings and early, unstamped backs, appealing to purist collectors.
Vintage Fiesta Yellow 13″ Chop Plate (1938-1969): A marked example, bearing the “GENUINE fiesta HLCo USA” stamp, dates this yellow chop plate to 1938 or later, adding historical value.
Vintage Fiesta Gray 13″ Chop Plate (1951-1959): The chameleon of Fiesta colors, the 50s gray glaze shifts beautifully in different lights, offering a unique visual experience.
Vintage Fiesta Rose 13″ Chop Plate (1951-1959): The rose glaze on the 13-inch chop plate exemplifies the hand workmanship of vintage Fiesta, with variations in ring patterns making each piece unique.
Vintage Fiesta Oval Platters: Versatile Serving Pieces
Moving beyond round chop plates, vintage Fiesta oval platters offer a different serving shape, still embodying the “happy” and collectible nature of Homer Laughlin vintage serving ware.
Vintage Fiesta Original Green Platter (1938-1952): Original green was a defining color of its decade, making this platter a piece of cultural history.
Vintage Fiesta Ivory Platter (1936-1951): Ram-pressed to ensure rings on both sides, this ivory platter is a testament to Fiesta’s quality and design consistency.
Vintage Fiesta Cobalt Platter (1937-1952): Like all Fiesta plates and platters, the cobalt platter was meticulously crafted, with hand-tooled rings and a rich glaze.
Vintage Fiesta Yellow Platter (1937-1959): The sunny yellow glaze truly comes to life on the larger oval platter, showcasing its vibrancy and cheerful character.
Vintage Fiesta Rose Platter (1951-1959): The vintage rose color, wonderfully complex and less overtly pink than contemporary colors, is beautifully displayed on this platter.
Vintage Fiesta Gray Platter (1951-1959): The 50s gray glaze continues its chameleon-like nature on the oval platter, adapting to different lighting conditions.
Vintage Fiesta Chartreuse Platter (1951-1959): The chartreuse platter, like other Fiesta pieces, was carefully made with hand-tooled rings and a luscious glaze.
Vintage Fiesta Medium Green Platter (1959-1969): As the final original Fiesta color, medium green platters are a prized find, especially in excellent condition.
Fiesta Kitchen Kraft Platters: Robust and Rectangular
For truly rectangular vintage Homer Laughlin serving trays, we turn to the Fiesta Kitchen Kraft line. These platters offer a more substantial, less ringed design, perfect for a rustic “happy steak” presentation.
Fiesta Kitchen Kraft Original Yellow Platter (1937-1944): These large, robust platters in original yellow are hard to find and represent a unique branch of the Fiesta family.
Vintage Harlequin Platters: Colorful and Collectible
Harlequin pottery, another line from Homer Laughlin, sold exclusively at Woolworths, also offers delightful vintage serving platters. While many are oval, they contribute to the “happy vintage serving tray” aesthetic.
11-Inch Vintage Harlequin Platters
Rare Harlequin Medium Green 11″ Platter (1959-1960): Medium green Harlequin is particularly rare, making this 11″ platter a true collector’s gem.
Vintage Harlequin Chartreuse 11″ Platter (1951-1959): Chartreuse in the Harlequin line from the 50s is considered hard to find and highly collectible.
Vintage Harlequin Forest Green 11″ Platter (1951-1959): Forest green is one of the rarest Harlequin colors, especially in larger pieces like this platter.
Vintage Harlequin Gray 11″ Platter (1951-1959): Like the Fiesta gray, Harlequin gray from the 50s is also a sought-after, versatile neutral.
Vintage Harlequin Rose 11″ Platter (1940-1950): The rose glaze in Harlequin is sophisticated and subtle, predating its use in the Fiesta line.
Vintage Harlequin Yellow 11″ Platter (1936-1959): The 11-inch platter was an original Harlequin design, showcasing the line’s cheerful aesthetic.
Vintage Harlequin Spruce Green 11″ Platter (1936-1940): Spruce green is unique to Harlequin and was one of the first colors discontinued, making it a rare find.
13-Inch Vintage Harlequin Platters
Vintage Harlequin Chartreuse 13″ Platter (1951-1959): The largest piece in the Harlequin line, the 13″ platter in chartreuse is a highly desirable example of 50s design.
Vintage Harlequin Forest Green 13″ Platter (1951-1959): The 13″ forest green platter is a rare and exceptional piece of vintage pottery, especially in pristine condition.
Vintage Harlequin Gray 13″ Platter (1951-1959): As the largest Harlequin piece, the 13″ platter in gray is a substantial and collectible serving item.
Vintage Harlequin Mauve Blue 13″ Platter (1938-1951): Harder to find than the 11″ version, the 13″ mauve blue platter makes a commanding statement in any collection.
Homer Laughlin Riviera and Century Rectangular Platters
For those specifically seeking rectangular vintage Homer Laughlin serving trays, the Riviera and Century lines offer excellent examples, particularly the batter trays.
Riviera Red 13″ Tab Handled Platter (1938-1942): The larger 13″ Riviera platter with tab handles offers a significant presence. This example in yellow (likely a glaze name error in original text, images show yellow) is in excellent condition.
Riviera Original Yellow 13″ Batter Tray (1938-1948): Rectangular batter trays from the Riviera line feature distinctive tabbed handles and scalloped edges, crafted using a ram press method.
Riviera Yellow 13″ Tab Handled Platter (1938-1948): Another example of the larger 13″ Riviera platter, showcasing the sunny yellow glaze and tab handles.
Homer Laughlin Original Ivory 12″ Batter Tray (1934): Dating back to 1934, this Homer Laughlin batter tray in ivory is a premier example of rectangular serving ware, with multi-step tabbed handles.
Riviera Original Green 11″ Batter Tray (1938-1948): The Riviera batter tray in original green maintains the line’s signature tabbed handles and scalloped edges.
Riviera Mauve Blue 11 1/2″ Tab Handled Platter (1938-1948): Designed with Art Deco influences, this mauve blue platter features streamlined tab handles and subtle scalloped edges.
Riviera Yellow 11 1/2″ Tab Handled Platter (1938-1948): Another Riviera platter with tab handles, this time in yellow, showcasing the line’s classic design.
Riviera Mauve Blue 11 1/2″ Oval Plain Platter (1938-1948): Referred to as the “Oval Well Plain” platter, this Riviera piece in mauve blue offers a simpler, handle-less design.
Homer Laughlin Decalware Platters: Decorative and Distinct
Homer Laughlin also produced Decalware platters, often rectangular batter trays adorned with decorative decals, adding another layer of collectibility to vintage serving trays.
Large 13″ Mexicana Batter Tray (1938-1948): Featuring the southwestern Mexicana decal and hand-applied red stripes, this larger batter tray is a vibrant and collectible piece.
Conchita Large 13 1/2″ Batter Tray (1938-1941): The Conchita decal, depicting a snake plant, cacti, and colorful fruit, is especially striking on this large batter tray.
Hacienda 11 1/2″ Batter Tray (1936-1944): From the Century line, the Hacienda decal with southwestern motifs and red stripes enhances this batter tray.
Rare Cheyenne Batter Tray (1933-1940): Extremely rare, this Cheyenne Decalware batter tray is part of the Native American Tribes series, making it a significant find for serious collectors.
Conclusion: Collecting Happy Vintage Serving Trays
Whether you are drawn to the concentric rings of Fiesta chop plates, the rectangular forms of Riviera batter trays, or the decorative decals of Mexicana ware, vintage Homer Laughlin serving trays offer a diverse range of styles and colors. These pieces are not just functional; they are joyful artifacts of American design history, perfect for adding a touch of vintage “happy” to your home and serving up memorable meals. Explore the world of vintage Homer Laughlin and discover your own perfect “happy steak” serving tray today.
