Frankoma Pottery has had its ups and downs over the years, but as of 2018 it is still in business, producing the limited-edition artware for which the company is rightly famous.

Is frankoma pottery still being made?

In August 2012, the factory building was sold to a non-pottery manufacturer and the original Frankoma molds and trademark name were sold to FPC LLC. As of April 2020, pottery continues to be made but in lower volume, focused on artware.

Is frankoma pottery worth anything?

Pitchers/jugs: The value of a Frankoma wagon wheel pitcher ranges from $40 - $65. Political mugs: Most Frankoma political mugs sell for $15 - $35. Limited edition mugs, such as the Ford/Nixon mugs crafted for the Republican Womens Organization (RWO) have sold for as much as $800.

When did they stop making frankoma pottery?

Frankoma Pottery closed and was sold in 2008 and again in 2010. The trademark and molds, however, were reserved. In 2012 a Houston company acquired them. It has manufactured Frankoma Pottery artware and novelty items.

Does frankoma pottery have lead in it?

Generally speaking, most Frankoma dinnerware made prior to the year 2000 contained lead. After that year, the US government banned leaded glazes in dinnerware. Our opinion is that older Frankoma dinnerware containing lead is safe to use as long as it is in good condition with no chips or crazing.

What are the different colors of Frankoma pottery?

While most people think of Frankoma pottery as being produced in the popular colors of Prairie Green and Desert Gold, Frankoma produced many items in Woodland Moss, Brown Satin, Peach Glow, Clay Blue, Red Bud, Sunflower Yellow, Robin Egg blue and other colors.

Is it safe to eat off Frankoma pottery?

The FDA carries leach testing to classify pottery dishware as food safe. Even if the glazed contained lead or cadmium before firing the piece, it can still be marked as food safe if it meets the FDA standards.

How do I date a Frankoma?

Dating Frankoma pieces is fairly simple. Look at the bottom of the piece. First, if the clay used appears to be a tan color, then it was created pre-1955 from Ada clay which was mined near the southern Oklahoma town of Ada. After 1955, most pieces were produced from the local Sapulpa red clay.

How do I date a frankoma pottery?

Dating Frankoma pieces is fairly simple. Look at the bottom of the piece. First, if the clay used appears to be a tan color, then it was created pre-1955 from Ada clay which was mined near the southern Oklahoma town of Ada. After 1955, most pieces were produced from the local Sapulpa red clay.

How do you know if ceramics are food safe?

To test a glazes acid resistance, squeeze a lemon wedge onto a horizontal, glazed surface. Changes in the glaze color indicate that acids from foods can leach materials from the glaze, and that it is not food safe.

What kind of clay is food safe?

For pieces made from lowfire clays, any surface that comes in contact with food or drink must be covered with a foodsafe glaze that has been correctly fired in order to be considered foodsafe. Even when fired, lowfire clay remains porous enough that fluids may penetrate the surface and soak into the clay.

How do I identify a Frankoma?

1:102:10How to Identify Frankoma Pottery age by the Clay - YouTubeYouTube