Crooksville China 'Siesta' Pattern Oval Platters

A pair of vintage oval-shaped ceramic platters or serving dishes produced by the Crooksville China Company. These items feature the popular mid-century 'Siesta' pattern (also known colloquially as 'Mexican motifs' or 'Pantry Bak-in-Ware'). The design is characterized by a cream-colored semi-porcelain body with a multi-colored transfer-printed scene. The artwork depicts a Southwest or Mexican-inspired landscape including a single palm tree, a red-tiled roof building, a saguaro cactus, and an individual in a large sombrero and traditional garb resting among pottery and fruit. The dishes feature an embossed floral and scroll design around the rim, known as the 'Wildflower' line of shapes. Physically, the glaze shows visible signs of age including surface crazing, light staining or 'pepper' spots, and minor shelf wear on the footed bases. One platter is significantly larger than the other, serving as a main course platter while the smaller functions as a side dish or appetizer tray. Based on the pattern and construction, these pieces date to the late 1930s or early 1940s. The colors remain relatively vibrant with greens, yellows, blues, and reds, though there is slight fading typical of domestic kitchenware of this era. Though no mark is visible in the photo, these typically carry the 'Crooksville Pantry Bak-in-Ware' stamp on the reverse.