Digging Up Dinnerware: The Peach Lustre Plate Rediscovered
At Old Colchester Park and Preserve in Fairfax County, Virginia, archaeologists uncovered fragments of a glass plate that provide a glimpse into mid-20th-century American life. These shards, which can be mended together, were identified as part of the Fire-King line produced by the Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation. Fire-King was a popular brand of machine-pressed glass dinnerware and kitchenware, known for its practicality and affordability. This particular piece featured the Peach Lustre finish, an iridescent milk glass with a laurel pattern and a reflective, mirror-like surface. Introduced in 1952 as a glamourous new dinnerware pattern, the golden Peach Lustre design was discontinued by 1963, making it a short-lived household item of the era.
Fire-King’s Peach Lustre dinnerware sets were not just visually appealing but also marketed as heat-proof and resistant to crazing, likely due to their spray-on color application. However, these finishes were prone to deterioration when washed with strong detergents or scratched with utensils while dining. On the other hand, Fire-King products were made of borosilicate glass, a material with a higher melting temperature than soda-lime glasses that were more commonly produced at the time. This innovative technology introduced heat-resistant dishes designed for safely handling hot meals and beverages. They were marketed as practical essentials for everyday kitchen activities in American households.
Artifact Image Credit: Tyler Ball, M.A.
Advertisement Image Credit: Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation. (1954, April). Anchorglass Makes Your Dream-Table Come True [Advertisement]. Family Circle Magazine, 28(4), 103.
