Franciscan Desert Rose 20-Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4

Sadly trying to recapture these pretty dishes from youth will be impossible unless you purchase piece by piece when you can find them. These new replacement sets lack the depth and color of the original ones manufactured in California. I'm also concerned that since they are made in China could they also be toxic? Maybe all we have is our memories of these beautiful dishes?

You get what you pay for, I guess. This setting is "Made in China" (not England), and is, literally, a pale imitation of my grandmother's Desert Rose dinnerware. The colors seem a lot less vibrant. Granted, it's been 40 years since I last ate off those plates; however, my recollection is that the blooms and vines on the plates and cups were rendered in high relief and boldly painted. On these, the relief is very subtle and the pattern appears to have been printed.

I still remember going to my grandmother's house in the 1960s and eating off the Franciscan desert rose dishes. I've always loved the bright, cheerful pattern, which would be a great way of starting off one's day at breakfast time. They would also be perfect for a tea party.

I knew that when I grew up, I would have the same dishes as my grandmother. When I moved into my first apartment, my grandmother offered to buy me my first set of dishes. I was torn between the Franciscan desert rose and the Franciscan apple pattern which I liked (and still like) equally. She suggested that since I grew up eating off the desert rose dishes, I may as well get the apple dishes. That made sense, so I chose the apple pattern, which are the same Franciscan dishes painted differently.

Unfortunately, 20 years later, my Franciscan dishes are not as nice looking as when I first received them, as about a quarter of them have cracked and chipped over time. Several have developed "crinkles" in the paint. This doesn't come from dropping or mishandling the dishes in any way, just from normal wear and tear. The coloring of the dishes has never faded.

Basically, Franciscanware dishes are a trade off. You have to love the pattern enough to not mind the cracking and chipping that occurs over the years. These dishes have been popular for decades and remain popular, so it's easy to find replacements both new and in thrift stores.

I was given these dishes when I first moved away from home by a wonderful family friend. I love these dishes!