ARCADIA

Around 1937-38 Pacific Pottery launched two new dinnerware lines, Arcadia and Coralitos while still continuing to produce Hostessware. During the late 1930s, consumer tastes were shifting, and with dinnerware trends tending to follow overall design trends, pottery manufacturers began to tone down the bright colors in favor of pastel hues and lighter body ware. Arcadia was a short set (limited pieces) offered in six matte colors: deep blue, delph, green, yellow, rose and ivory (official color names are not known). Arcadia included standard individual pieces and a limited range of serving pieces.

Arcadia features several types of marks, not all labeled with Pacific, making it challenging to identify the manufacturer if you’re not familiar with the line. Items may be found with a backstamp or an in-mold mark. There are three variations of the in-mold mark – the first (shown below) features the piece number with “Made in USA.” Other in-mold marks may feature “Pacific” or “Arcadia” above the piece number.

Like most Pacific Pottery, Arcadia is categorized by piece numbers that begin with “E” and most items feature the piece number with the in-mold mark. At some point around 1940, Pacific Pottery switched pretty much exclusively to the backstamp, and piece numbers are no longer featured (this applies to Hostessware as well).

Qwkdog 3D Pacific Pottery Arcadia Beverage Set

Arcadia

Piece List

1937-40

  • E4 Teacup
  • E5 Saucer
  • E43 Bowl, Fruit 6″
  • E? Bowl, Cereal, 7″ (footed)
  • E? Plate, B&B, 6″
  • E8 Plate, Salad, 7″
  • E9 Plate, Luncheon, 9″
  • E? Plate, Dinner, 10″
  • E? Plate, Chop, 12″
  • E29 Carafe
  • E45 Tumblers
  • E47 Pitcher, 1-pint
  • E48 Pitcher, 1-quart
  • E? Bowl, Serving, 9″ (footed)
  • E? Platter, Oval, 12″
  • E? Salt & Pepper Shakers
  • E? Butter with Lid
  • E? Teapot
  • E2 Sugar with Lid
  • E3 Creamer
Pacific Pottery Arcadia Colors
Pacific Pottery Arcadia Colors
Pacific Pottery Arcadia In-Mold Mark "E"
Pacific Pottery Arcadia In-Mold Mark "E"
Pacific Pottery Arcadia Backstamp
Pacific Pottery Arcadia Backstamp
DURA-RIM
Pacific Pottery Dura-Tone Ad - March 1941

By early 1940, Pacific Pottery added a new line called “Dura-Rim” based off of the Arcadia shape. Dura-Rim, as you can assume from the name, features a thicker edge (apparently the thinner Arcadia line was prone to chipping). Another feature of Dura-Rim is the embossed Lily of the Valley on the pieces. Dura-Rim can be found in six matte glazes (yellow, ivory, green, delph, peach, white). Dura-Rim features the Pacific backstamp used on later pieces (1940+) and is not typically in-mold marked.

Pacific also produced Dura-Rim in a two-tone pattern called Dura-Tone. The two tone combinations includes pink, blue, green and yellow borders with a satin white center as well as a blue border with rose colored center.

Both Dura-Rim and Dura-Tone are both extremely hard to find and are not especially popular with collectors.

Pacific Pottery Dura-Tone Place Setting