Fiestaware Butter Dish Appraisal

Vintage Fiestaware Butter Dish (Cereal Bowl Style Lid)

This item is a vintage Fiestaware butter dish, featuring the iconic design element of a round, domed lid that closely resembles an inverted Fiestaware cereal bowl, resting on a coordinating round plate or tray. The butter dish is crafted from ceramic, specifically vitrified lead-free china, and presents in a consistent light blue or 'Turquoise' color, a classic Fiestaware hue. The glaze appears bright and uniformly applied, indicating good manufacturing quality. The lid has a distinct, concentric ring design on its top, culminating in a small, stylized knob handle for easy lifting. The plate or base mirrors this concentric ring motif on its raised lip, designed to securely cradle the lid and prevent it from sliding. The item exhibits a smooth, glossy finish throughout. There are no immediately visible chips, cracks, or significant abrasions on the exterior surfaces, suggesting good care and minimal use for its age. Minor surface wear consistent with age and handling might be present upon closer inspection, but is not discernible from the provided image. The design points to a mid-20th century aesthetic, likely dating from the original run of Fiestaware production (1936-1969), given the distinctive 'Turquoise' color which was introduced earlier in their production history. The craftsmanship is typical of Fiestaware: sturdy, utilitarian, yet aesthetically pleasing with its bold colors and Art Deco-inspired concentric rings.