Pyrex Ware Patterns
Patterns With Patterns
Beyond the spectrum of solid-colored Pyrex kitchenware were literally dozens of collections with a variety of silk screen-applied decoration. Ranging from simple starbursts to intricate florals to complex geometricals, the decorations were applied in contrasting and complementary colors and also in gold leaf. Decorated Pyrex pieces, if rare and found in good condition, can be among the most valuable as collectibles.
It is important to note that, in Pyrex Ware terms, the term "pattern" has dual meaning. It is often used to refer to the silk-screened decoration itself. But, in a larger sense, "pattern" refers to a designed, coordinated set-- some pieces having decorative designs on them and some not-- offered together as a named collection. Perhaps the term came to be used for Pyrex ware much in the same way it is for china or flatware.
Pyrex patterns fall into four general categories: Standard, Alternate, Limited, and Non-Standard (aka promotional). And it can sometimes be confusing as to which category a particular pattern belongs.
Standard patterns are those whose collections were typically comprised of a full range of dishes and bowls, and were marketed for two or more years.
The standard patterns known as "Pyrex Ware Compatibles", whose decorations are complementary to certain Corelle patterns, include the widest range of models of dishes. These include 
Butterfly Gold '72, 
Spring Blossom Green '72, and 
Snowflake Blue.
Later patterns with Corelle counterparts included 
Woodland and 
Colonial Mist. Other standard patterns, while not exact duplicates, were marketed as coordinating with various Corelle patterns.
Alternate patterns are a sub-category of Standard. Few in number, they include variants of some standard patterns marketed through trading stamp redemption programs or as limited time offerings. Alternate versions of Verde and Town & Country were produced contemporaneously to their standard counterparts. Other examples include Butterprint sets decorated in all orange (440 set), pink (470 set), or turquoise (400, 440, 470 sets) with plain opal bases.
Limited patterns fall between standard and non-standard patterns. The decorative design or color scheme appeared for a year or more, but only on a specific set of bowls or on a selection of pieces far fewer than those of a more complete standard pattern collection. Examples would include Golden Acorn casseroles; the Multicolor, Dots, and Americana bowls; or the Golden Honeysuckle oblong casseroles. The short-lived Hearth Group collection would also fall into this category.
Some limited patterns came to be marketed as part of standard pattern collections, e.g. the autumn-hued Americana bowls added to Early American, or the Multitone Blue bowls, turquoise Snowflake casseroles, and turquoise Butterprint combined to create the eponymous "Turquoise" collection.
To keep it simple, the limited patterns are typically seen categorized with Standard patterns, although various sources contradict each other (and sometimes themselves) as to where they belong.
Non-Standard patterns, more often referred to as promotional pieces or "promos", were produced on usually only a single piece with an accessory, and typically offered as part of a grouping of several seasonal items in a single year. They far outnumber the standard and limited patterns, and tend to be among the more coveted as Pyrex ware collectibles.
Often a source of confusion, there doesn't seem to be a clear pattern to how pattern collections were composed. That is to say, the decorations did not always appear on the same style pieces across them all. Examples would be nesting sets with alternating decorated/undecorated bowls, or refrigerator sets with both plain and decorated dishes.
And, even among those named patterns having different versions, they are not necessarily found on the same style pieces in each. In one color version of the "Town & Country" pattern, the 400 series mixing bowls are in solid colors with no decoration, while, in the other, they are unpainted opal with the "Town & Country" graphics applied.
As another example, pieces that are part of the "Daisy" pattern are in shades of orange to yellow, a decorative design applied only to lids and to alternating Cinderella mixing bowls.
Then there is the original "Verde", with its unique "olives" decoration initially appearing on opal glass oval lids and only later on round Cinderella casserole lids.
To be even more confusing, patterns which were given no official name-- usually promotional pieces-- have had a variety of names made up for them by collectors and eBay sellers. While this can be an annoyance-- several different names for the same pattern-- it is often the only way some patterns can be referred to or searched for online.
Things To Know About Patterns
- Some patterns' decorations are dish-only while others are lid-only, with a few seen on both.
- Some patterns' lid decoration differs from that of the dish or bowl.
- Some patterns on lids differ slightly from one size to the next.
- Decorated nesting bowl sets often alternate base and decoration colors, meaning some combinations on certain sizes do not exist.
- Some pieces were sold as open stock in colors opposite those sold with sets.
- Contiguous patterns on bowls normally do not complete the entire circumference, Rainbow Stripe and Terra being two exceptions.
- Patterns known as Pyrex Compatibles were made to go with existing Corelle dinnerware patterns.
- Some patterns were only produced on a single style, size, and color promotional piece.
- A few patterns, like Butterfly Gold and Spring Blossom Green, underwent revisions to their color and decoration.
- Variants of some patterns were available through store premium or stamp redemption programs.
- Although "standard" patterns include more types of pieces, the number of them released pales in comparison to the number of "non-standard" patterns.
- Partial or variations of pattern graphics are sometimes seen to make them fit better on a lid, on small pieces like storage ware, or on tableware.
- Many promotional piece patterns were labeled on cartons generically, e.g. "Designer Collection" or "Hostess Casserole", and were given no specific official names.
- Some patterns fall between standard and non-standard, being sold for longer than a season but only appearing on a limited group of pieces.
- Some are actually third party products for which Corning supplied a custom decorated dish.
- Names are often seen applied to a pattern that are not its official name, leading to confusion in the collectibles marketplace.
- Some American-made pattern collections were sold in Canada under a different name.
- Some patterns seen described as extremely rare may simply be UK JAJ or other non-US Pyrex pieces.
Pyrex Pattern Database
Pattern names listed below are those officially designated by Corning, if known, as seen either on cartons, in literature, or in advertising. Pattern names marked with a * are those often seen used for patterns which either had no official name or for which an official name has not been confirmed. Years of introduction listed may be best estimates.
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See it at CMOG. Exhibit page on cmog.org.
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There are currently 168 unique patterns listed on this page.
1945 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1976 1978 1979 1980 1981 1983 Multicolor Bowls (#400) Flamingo Bakeware (#) Heinz Promo (#) Opal White (#4A) Desert Dawn (#) Opaque White Casserole (#) Black Tulip* (#943-M1) Cinderella Buffet Set (#1995) Bluebird (#943-M-8) Berries* (#) Bluebelle (#) Deluxe Hostess Casserole (Frost Garland*) (#96) Golden Honeysuckle (#) Blue Tulip* (#5164) Butterprint Orange (#440-SP) Americana (#8) Blue Ivy (#5567) Blue Doily* (#6268,6368) Celtic Floral* (#6169) Avocado Round Casserole (#984-) Crazy Quilt (#5571) Butterfly Gold '72 (#4) Cosmopolitan (#H-109C) FlameGlo (#46) Homestead (#48) Designer Collection Daisy (#4078) Autumn Harvest (#49) Bake 'N' Carry Ivory (#4856) Forest Fancies (#61) Bake N' Carry Country Blue (#4756) |
   
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