Homer Laughlin China Turquoise Ceramic Bowl

This item is a circular ceramic bowl produced by the Homer Laughlin China Company, featuring a vibrant turquoise-teal glaze. The bowl possesses a classic rounded profile with a distinct unglazed white foot ring, providing stability and showcasing the white vitrified china body. The base displays an official black sub-glaze backstamp containing the company name, a decorative fleur-de-lis logo, the date 1840-1996, 'Since 1871', and 'U.S.A.' along with a production code. The specific backstamp indicates it was likely manufactured in the mid-to-late 1990s as part of their commercial or retail dinnerware lines, such as the Fiesta or Fiesta-style collections. The glaze appears uniform and thick with a glossy finish, typical of high-fire industrial production designed for durability. No significant cracks, chips, or crazing are visible in the photograph, though very minor shelf wear appears on the unglazed foot ring. The piece exemplifies the mid-century modern revival aesthetic that grew popular in the late 20th century. Its robust construction and lead-free glaze are hallmarks of the Homer Laughlin brand, reflecting heavy-duty institutional quality standards.

I have virtually examined the Homer Laughlin circular ceramic bowl in turquoise. Based on the detailed backstamp (1840-1996), this item is identified as a modern production piece manufactured in the United States. The condition appears to be 'Excellent' to 'Mint' based on the provided imagery; the glaze is uniform with high luster, and the lack of visible crazing or chips suggests it has seen minimal consumer use. This item likely belongs to the 'Fiesta' line or a related commercial vitrified series, which is highly sought after for daily utility rather than extreme rarity. The market for mid-to-late 1990s Homer Laughlin is saturated, as these were mass-produced. Similar bowls consistently realize prices in the $15 to $25 range on secondary markets like eBay or Replacements, Ltd. The value is driven by its functional durability and the popularity of the 'Turquoise' glaze color. However, there are limitations to this digital appraisal. While the backstamp appears authentic, I cannot verify the physical 'heft' or weight of the vitreous body, nor can I detect microscopic surface scratches or structural stress fractures not visible in photographs. A full authentication would require a physical inspection to confirm the ceramic density and a lead-testing swab to ensure its safety standards. For insurance purposes, this valuation represents the fair market replacement value.