Frankoma was established in 1933 by John Frank, professor of ceramics at the University of Oklahoma. In 1936 the pottery has moved to Sapulpa, Oklahoma, where the local reddish clay became the body of the pottery. This clay, when combined with glazes made from local rutile materials, was fired only once, and the clay body is visible through the glaze on the finished products.
Using glazes in green, gold, terra cotta, peach, blue and white, production included annual Christmas plates from 1965 with images from the Bible with a white semi-translucent “Della Robia” glaze.
Fall centerpiece with Frankoma pot © by gohomekiki
New dinnerware lines were developed between 1936 and 1962 and most remained in production until the 1990′s. These are Mayan-Aztec (1936), Wagon Wheel (1948), Plainsman (1948), Lazybones (1953), and Westwind (1962).
Miscellaneous decorative pieces were made throughout the lifetime of the company. These include figurines; annual Christmas plates;
miniature ash trays, pitchers, vases, etc.;
political mugs for the Republican and Democratic Parties; Bicentennial plates; Conestoga Wagon;
plates for the Oklahoma Wildlife Federation; vases, toby mugs, bookends, vases, bowls, trivets, canisters, salt and pepper shakers; and Will Rogers plaques.
See Frankoma Pottery here.
Using a single firing and rutile glazes in many relatively soft colors, the Frankoma pottery has a look all its own. The pottery has changed hands from 1991 until the latest sale in 2011. The name, molds and formulas remain available to a new purchaser as of that date. For those who love the carefree and rustic look of the Frankoma pottery, there is some hope that the product will continue to be made.
Visit the collector’s society for more information: Frankoma Family Collectors Association (frankoma.org).
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