Charley Harper’s Cardinal Available in Four Classic FiestaWare

I am a big fan of Charley Harper’s art from The Golden Book of Biology when I was a youth. The much sought-after book sells for over $500.00 on Amazon.  The Cincinnati-based unique minimalist artist is best known for his highly stylized wildlife prints, posters, and book illustrations. Now you can add tableware to his resume. The Fiesta Tableware Company has a line of Harper’s cardinal bird series in both chinaware and glasses. This is a great set for any kitchen even if you do not know Charley’s Harper’s work.

Two mid-century icons have come together to bring you, Charley Harper, by FiestaWare! The Fiesta TableWare Company’s rich history, West Virginia origins, and colorful collections made for a natural partnership with the Charley Harper Art Studio.

“When I look at a wildlife or nature subject, I don’t see the feathers in the wings, I just count the wings. I see exciting shapes, color combinations, patterns, textures, fascinating behavior, and endless possibilities for making interesting pictures. I regard the picture as an ecosystem in which all the elements are interrelated, interdependent, perfectly balanced, without trimming or unutilized parts; and herein lies the lure of painting; in a world of chaos, the picture is one small rectangle in which the artist can create an ordered universe.”

Introduced during the Great Depression, the vibrant colors of FiestaWare were meant to brighten spirits during a rough patch in American history. Noted ceramist Frederick Hurten Rhead knew that his Art Deco styling and bold, bright colors of Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, and Ivory were a break from traditional plain white chinaware.

“I don’t think there was much resistance to the way I simplified things. I think everybody understood that. Some people liked it and others didn’t care for it. There’s some who want to count all the feathers in the wings and then others who never think about counting the feathers, like me.”

Charley’s Cardinal is available in four classic FiestaWare® colors (Daffodil, Lemongrass, Turquoise, & White) on Fiesta’s 9″ luncheon plate—the perfect size to layer over a Fiesta dinner plate, or display on a plate stand as a singular focal piece. With 52 complementary colors produced over the years, we cannot wait to see how you mix and match Charley’s Cardinal into your collection.

In perfect complement to our new Charley Harper by FiestaWare line, these glasses will brighten any table setting, but pair beautifully with the colors of the new plates! Featuring Charley’s iconic cardinal, this set of four glasses is dishwasher-safe, but we recommend hand-washing to prolong the life of the print. They accommodate 20 fl. oz. of your favorite beverages and are made in the USA!