Franciscan Metropolitan Rim Soup Bowl (Blue/Red Colorway)
Ceramic, Decorative Art / Tableware • Franciscan Pottery (brand owned by Johnson Brothers/Wedgwood during this period)
Style & Movement
Modernist / Postmodernist Minimalist Tableware
Medium & Technique
Glazed stoneware; industrial slip-casting with high-gloss interior glaze and matte/satin exterior rim glaze
Creation Period
Late 20th to Early 21st Century (Circa 1999-2003)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 9 - 9.5 inches in diameter; Circular format
Subject Description
A functional deep-rimmed soup/pasta bowl featuring a dual-tone color scheme with a vibrant cobalt blue interior well and a contrasting burgundy/maroon wide rim.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Fair; visible surface scratches and utensil marks in the interior glaze
Estimated Market Value
$10 - $20 USD per bowl
Auction Estimate
$5 - $10 USD (per piece in a larger lot)
Provenance History
Mass-produced commercial retail; likely discontinued stock from the Metropolitan line produced under the Wedgwood group umbrella
Art Historical Significance
Represents the later commercial transition of the iconic Franciscan brand from California pottery roots to global conglomerate production, focusing on bold, minimalist color-blocking.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'Metropolitan' series design characterized by the contrast between a high-shine primary color center and a matte-finish dark perimeter.
Condition Issues
Significant interior utensil wear, stacking scuffs on the rim, and minor glaze abrasions
Conservation Recommendations
Hand wash recommended to prevent further glaze degradation; use of non-abrasive cleaners; store with felt dividers to prevent stacking scratches.
Collector Notes
Franciscan