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Iroquois is probably best known for its association with the modern designers Russel Wright
and Ben Siebel. Before these designers were hired, Iroquois produced mostly commercial or
hotel-type ware. The designers created designs for Iroquois that were executed in porcelain
at the factory in Syracuse, New York. Although both designer’s patterns were intended for
everyday use, the ceramic body is a true “china”. Iroquois made very durable wares that
were fired at a high temperature.
Wrights “Casual China” designs were produced beginning in 1946 and were produced through
the 1960s. The old advertisements promised that pieces would be replaced if they were ever
broken! The bulk of this ware was produced in solid colors that could be mixed or matched.
The shapes have a very subtle, almost Japanese simplicity in the designs.
Ben Seibels designs were done later in the 1960s. Those designs were the “Impromptu” and
“Informal” lines. Most of the patterns in these lines have stylized pattern decoration on
the modern shapes.
Iroquois closed it’s doors in 1969, but Wrights and Seibels designs are still very popular
and widely collected. Today Russel Wrights designs by Iroquois are in the permanent
collections of many major museums.
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