Franciscan Ware Coronado Swirl Serving Bowl, Matte Cream Ivory with Scalloped Rim, Made in California
This is a Franciscan Ware Coronado swirl serving bowl: a wide, shallow round earthenware bowl in soft cream or ivory glaze, satin matte outside and smoother inside, with diagonal swirl ribs molded around the outside that end in small scallops at the rim. The inside is plain. On the base are small stilt marks and a round blue-gray stamp reading FRANCISCAN WARE around the edge with MADE IN CALIFORNIA U.S.A. in the center. Franciscan Ware was made by Gladding, McBean & Co. of California. A swirl body and scalloped rim set Coronado apart from Franciscan's plain or embossed lines.
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Franciscan Ware Coronado
Franciscan Ware was the dinnerware name used by Gladding, McBean & Co. of California, and this round stamp reads Franciscan Ware, Made in California U.S.A. Coronado is the Franciscan line with a swirled, shell-like body, sold in solid colors.
Cream swirl bowl with a scalloped rim
The Franciscan Ware Coronado swirl serving bowl is a wide, fairly shallow round bowl with curved sides and a gently scalloped rim. It is California earthenware glazed in white, a soft cream or ivory, with a satin to matte finish on the outside and a smoother, slightly glossier finish inside.
Diagonal swirl ribs are molded into the outside walls, running at a slant from the foot up to the rim like a twisted shell, and each rib ends at the top in a small rounded scallop so the rim edge looks gently crimped. Inside, the bowl is smooth and plain. With no decoration there, the swirl only shows on the exterior and at the rim.
Underneath, the bowl is glazed and sits on a low foot. In the center is a round ink stamp in blue-gray: FRANCISCAN WARE in capitals running around the circle, with MADE IN / CALIFORNIA / U.S.A. in small capitals stacked in the middle. Small round stilt marks, little unglazed dots left by the kiln supports, are spaced around the base.
On this copy: no measurements were taken; it is a serving bowl size held easily in one hand. The glaze is clean and even, with light surface marks inside and on the base, and no chips or cracks are visible in the photos.
- Shape: Wide round serving bowl with curved sides and a scalloped rim
- Material: Earthenware (California pottery)
- Colors: White (soft cream or ivory), satin matte outside, smoother inside
- Decoration: Molded diagonal swirl ribs on the outside, ending in rim scallops
- Inside: Plain and smooth
- Base: Glazed with a low foot and small stilt marks
- Mark: Round blue-gray FRANCISCAN WARE / MADE IN CALIFORNIA U.S.A. stamp, center of base
- Pattern: Coronado (swirl)
- This copy: Not measured; light surface marks, no chips or cracks seen
Round stamp, center of base: FRANCISCAN WARE (around the circle) MADE IN CALIFORNIA U.S.A.
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Comparable listings, ranked by delivered price
Live listings on ebay.com, checked October 2026. Asking prices, not sold prices.
| Listing | Price | Shipping | Delivered | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vintage Franciscan Ware Swirl Cream Bowl Made in California eBay | $99.99 | $14.85 | $114.84 | Listed | View ↗ |
About the Franciscan Ware Swirl Serving Bowl
How do I identify Franciscan Coronado pottery?
Look for a body with diagonal swirl ribs that end in small scallops at the rim, a solid color glaze, and a Franciscan Ware Made in California stamp on the base.
Who made Franciscan Ware?
Franciscan Ware was the dinnerware line of Gladding, McBean & Co. of California, as the base stamp indicates.
What are the little dots on the bottom of my Franciscan bowl?
They are stilt marks, small spots where the bowl rested on kiln supports while the glaze was fired.
What is a Franciscan Ware cream swirl bowl worth?
One comparable listing we tracked asked $99.99, plus shipping.
- Owner's photos
- eBay listing