Fiestaware Cup

This orange cup is part of a cup and saucer set of Fiestaware, from the USA. Uranium oxide was used in the glaze, which makes these pieces radioactive. Fiesta was the first widely mass-marketed solid-color dinnerware and became extremely popular due to its bright colors, durable construction and stylized art deco designs. After its introduction in 1936 it was a widespread fad in the USA for over 10 years, becoming somewhat of a status symbol. During the Second World War, the US government took control of uranium in the country and confiscated the stocks of all companies which used it. Nowadays, the government advises that these pieces are not used; however, they are still very popular collectors’ items.