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In the early 1960s, the Homer Laughlin China Company began decorating ware using a stencil and spray process. The decoration was applied to bisque ware and sealed under the glaze. The process was quick and inexpensive compared to the other methods used including over glaze decals, under glaze transfer sheets, and silk screens. The various spray patterns have been attributed to art director Douglas Bourne.
The ware was offered in three different shapes. The first was Serenade which was a combination of pieces from three shapes: Rhythm flatware (plates, bowls, and platters), Triumph covered sugar and creamer, and a Charm House teacup. The plates, platters, and saucer were decorated while the bowls were given interior colors and the hollowware exterior colors to compliment the patterns.
The factory recycled the Serenade backstamp which was first used on Serenade pastel dinnerware from 1939. (Even though the name and marking are the same, Serenade from 1939 has nothing to do with Serenade of the 1960s.) Treatment numbers for Serenade were prefixed with "RUM-" with the R standing for Rhythm, U for underglaze, and M for the lead mask used in creating the patterns. For more on this special Serende line, see this page.
The second shape used was Rhythm flatware with Orbit hollowware. There was only one pattern used with Orbit, RUM-705: Orient.
Finally, Fiesta® flatware was decorated with stencil patterns and mixed with solid color hollowware. Only two patterns went into production, F-107, Carnation with yellow Fiesta®, and F-108, Cornflower, also known as Hawaiian 12-Point Daisy, with turquoise Fiesta®. A third one, Sunflower using medium green Fiesta®, was planned, but it did not go into production. Carnation and Cornflower were sold under the name Fiesta® Casual.
Advertisement for Yellow Carniation and Turquoise Cornflower
The above advertisement mentions ivory body. This is not the same as the old ivory glaze. The ware used for the Fiesta Casual lines is white with a clear glaze.
Four pieces of Fiesta can be found with the stencil treatments: 10" plate, 7" plate, saucer, and platter. The 5 ½" fruit, 8 ½" nappy, teacup, covered sugar, and creamer were glazed in the appropriate Fiesta® color and completed the Fiesta® Casual sets.
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