Added to the fiestaware line in the late Spring of 1936, the utility tray was initially made on a ram press which involved taking a firm clay and pushing it between a two part mold. This was a tricky process that often caused warpage. In the Spring of 1938 Homer Laughlin began slip casting the tray which produced more uniformed results. The earlier ram pressed version will have perfectly straight sides, while the slip cast examples have slanted sides and are usually found fully glazed and marked on the bottom with the "Genuine Fiesta" backstamp.
Circa 1936-1938: Early Version— of the utility tray, with the dry foot, made for less than two years. This example in ivory is in fantastic condition with a great, rich glaze.
For Sale: $110
Circa 1936-1938: Early version of the utility tray, with the dry foot, made for less than two years. This example in yellow is in fantastic condition with a great, rich glaze.
For Sale: $95
Circa 1939-1942: This is a nice example of the slip cast molded fiesta utility tray in the harder to find red glaze color. Produced for just over three years before the red was withdrawn from production during WWII.
For Sale: $125
Circa 1939-1946: This example of the vintage fiesta utility tray in the original turquoise glaze is in excellent condition, fully glazed on the back and without signs of use.
For Sale: $95
Circa 1939-1946: This slip cast version of the fiesta utility tray in the original cobalt blue glaze is a great find without scratches or signs of use.
For Sale: $95
Circa 1939-1946: The fiesta utility tray was only made in the first six original colors. It comes in two versions, for the first two years of production they were made on the ram press and later were made in a mold and fully glazed on the bottom. This is an example from the second period of production and it is fully glazed on the back.
For Sale: $90
Circa 1939-1946: Fully glazed on the bottom and nicely glaze stamped "GENUINE fiesta HLCO USA" this slip cast version of the fiesta utility tray in the original yellow is in very nice condition.
For Sale: $75