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Pyrex Opal Ware Shapes

The following are descriptions of and information about the various Pyrex opal ware shapes introduced between 1945 and the 1970s.

Standard Shapes

Round Nesting Mixing Bowls (401, 402, 403, 404)

Introduced in 1945 as a set of four, nestable sizes: 1-1/2 pt. (blue), 1-1/2 qt. (red), 2-1/2 qt. (green), and 4 qt. (yellow). For several years, a single 4 qt. in red offered as open stock was the only variation from the original color scheme. Later, in coordinating colors and decoration, they were a typical part of standard pattern collections, as well as in limited patterns and promotionals like chip & dip sets.

Refrigerator Storage Dishes (501, 502, 503)

The Oven-Refrigerator-Freezer Set or #500 set, as it is sometimes called, was introduced in 1947, and contains two 1-1/2 cup (red), one 1-1/2 pt. (blue), all of which stack on top of one 1-1/2 qt. (yellow), and all with invertable clear glass lids. Most standard pattern collections up through 1978 included a matching set.

Hostess Casseroles/Bowls (015, 025, 407, 410)

This shape, a squarish dish with curved walls and slightly bowed out top edges was produced in four sizes, beginning in 1949. The larger two, a 1-1/2 quart and a 2-1/2 quart were intended as casseroles if supplied with lids; as hostess bowls if without. Smaller 7 and 10 oz. versions were sold as individual serving bowls. The lids, made in painted opal glass and only for the two larger sizes, have handles; all of the bowls do not. Normally made in either red or yellow, but a turquoise 7 oz. and 2-1/2 qt. with a bracket were sold as a Cinderella Snack & Dip set several years after this shape had been discontinued. Examples in a rosy pink and a gray are also known.

Round Casseroles (022, 023, 024, 026, 080, 664)

These casserole bowls were first seen in 1950. Of medium depth, roughly hemispherical in shape, and with wide, curved handles, they came in four main sizes, along with a fifth, smaller, individual size. Respectively, they held 1 quart, 1-1/2 quarts, 2 quarts, 3 quarts, and 8 ounces. Lids were either knob topped or a flat topped utility style.

Also known as a round casserole, the large, 4 quart 664 does not share the shape of the others. Instead, it is cylindrical, with a wide flanged rim for use as handles. It was supplied with a knob top lid, but one that does not match any other knob top. It can be identified by the same 664 model number. New for 1975, it was made to go with Spring Blossom Green, Butterfly Gold, Snowflake Blue, Old Orchard, and, later, Homestead. These unusual large casseroles were discontinued in late 1976.

Oval Casseroles (043, 045)

As initially described, "Oval Decorator Casseroles" arrived in 1956 and were produced in two sizes, a 1-1/2 quart and a 2-1/2 quart. They have tapered, tab handles, and are slightly narrower at the bottom than the top. Both are roughly the same depth, with the larger being longer and wider. Lids were normally plain, clear glass, but were also seen in decorated clear, or in decorated and/or painted opal. Other oval dishes of similar design (053, 063) were initially grouped under the "Cinderella" umbrella, with the 043 and 045 seen inconsistently described as such later. Oval casseroles were dropped after 1979.

Space Saver Casseroles (548, 575)

This shape was introduced in 1957. Small rectangular casseroles with wide handles and high profile lids in clear glass came in two sizes, 1-1/4 quart and 2 quart, one being merely deeper than the other. Also sold as a part of Oven-Freezer-Server sets containing one of each size dish in the same pattern, one glass lid, and two flat aluminum covers for freezer use. Shape discontinued 1963.

Cinderella Nesting Mixing Bowls (441, 442, 443, 444)

These round, nesting bowls were also introduced in 1957, and can be easily recognized by their opposing handles and pour spouts which flare out gracefully from their rims. Their marked capacities were the same as those of the original round nesting mixing bowls. Seen sold as sets of four, as part of several non-standard pattern and a few standard pattern 444/441 chip & dip sets, some 444-based salad set promos, and some non-standard 443-based cradled promos.

Oval Divided Serving Dishes (063, 1063)

Oval divided dishes followed in 1958, had the same footprint as the 2-1/2 quart oval casserole, and could use the same lid. Lids for them were initially also divided, but in later years came with the same, undivided 945 lid as the 2-1/2 quart oval. Decorated opal lids were never divided. Initially, the marked capacity was 1-1/2 quarts, but for some reason was later changed to 1 quart; the dish itself was physically unchanged. The 063 shape was discontinued 1976; the 1063 in 1967.

Originally flat-bottomed, the dish molds were changed at some point to add a crease coincidental to the divider. The earlier dishes were not marked with the model number, which would have allowed the same bottom mold halves to be used for both the 063 and the 053 Oval Open Bakers.

The also-divided 1063, introduced around 1960, was quite different from the 063 and the other ovals. Its sides were curved, and its handles wide and also curved. It was sold in plain, undecorated opal at a loss leader price of 98 cents. It is also seen in Bluebelle as part of a 1960 promo. No lid exists for the 1063, but a 945 lid will fit reasonably well. Although the 063 was originally described as a "Cinderella" dish, its contemporary, the 1063 was not.

Oval Open Bakers (053)

Open bakers, also new in 1958, had the same footprint as the 2-1/2 quart oval casseroles, and, although not supplied with one, could use the same lid. The 053 was also described in early catalogs as a "Cinderella" dish. As with early 063 Divided Casseroles above, the 053 model number is not marked on the dish. The 053 shape was discontinued ca. 1963.


Cinderella Round Casseroles (471, 472, 473, 474, 475)

This casserole shape, first introduced in 1958, came in five sizes. Basically cylindrical in shape, the bottoms are only slightly narrower than the tops. The two small, opposing flared handles might also be used as pour spouts.

The smallest three dishes are all of the same diameter, differing only in depth, and all use the same lid. With lids inverted, they may be stacked for refrigerator storage. The largest two, first made in 1961, are of increasingly larger diameter, allowing sets of the largest three bowls to reasonably nest for storage.

When sold in sets, the smallest three were dubbed a "Cinderella Bake, Serve and Store Set", while the set comprised of the largest three was called a "Cinderella Casserole Set".

Unusual Shapes

Covered Loaf Pan, Baking Dish (Heinz Promo) (505, 507)

The 507 was a unique, rectangular, tab-handled green dish made for and offered in a 1953 promotion by Heinz, making it perhaps the first opalware promo. The 505 loaf pan was of similar design, but plain opal with an opal cover decorated in a leaf pattern in a green shade like that of the 507. While dimensionally different, the shapes are reminsicent of eachother, the lid of the 505 echoing the design of the 015 and 025 Hostess Casserole lids.

Oblong Casseroles (033, 035, 055, 058)

This unsusal shape did not last very long, only 1963-1965. Oblong in shape, but it had no straight lines. The long side top edges curve upward towards the ends, which have full-width, rolled-edge handles. It was produced in four sizes, a small shallow, a small deep, a large shallow, and a large deep. One lid fits both of the smaller and another both of the larger. Standard production only included a Golden Honeysuckle pattern decoration in gold leaf on an ivory base.

Hearth Group Casseroles (483, 485)

This new-for-1967 shape was seen in only two sizes, a 1-1/2 quart and a 3 quart. Roughly cylindrical in shape, they are narrower at the base and have no handles. Rather than glass lids, two matching-color tart pan dishes, the 484 and 486, could be used as covers.

Hearth Group Mixing Bowls (478, 479)

Part of the 1967 Hearth Group along with the 483 and 485 casseroles, these 1-1/2 quart and 3 quart bowls are reminiscent of the shape of the 400 series bowls, but with a taller foot ring. They were only available in the Brittany Blue and Federal Eagle patterns.

Straight-Sided Mixer Bowls (343, 344)

This shape was introduced in 1971 and was designed for use with electric hand mixers. They are deep, with straight sides, a slightly curved bottom, a flat base, and wide tab handles. In 1-1/2 quart and 3 quart sizes, they were produced in clear glass and also in opal glass with a red and gold "arch" or "fish scale" pattern.

Other Shapes

Butter Dish, Margarine Dish, Gravy Server (72, 75, 77)

Butter dishes and gravy servers exist for a number of Pyrex opal ware patterns. The first covered butter dish, decorated in Butterprint, is seen described in literature only as a "Cinderella Butter Dish". Margarine dishes were offered to go with Butterfly Gold, Old Town Blue, Spring Blossom Green, and also in an undecorated Winter Frost White.

Pixie Casseroles, Footed Bowls (700, 770)

Two shapes originally from the restaurant ware line. Ten ounce Pixie casseroles were made in solid colors to go with Daisy, Friendship, Horizon Blue, and Verde, as well as other patterns in the tableware line. The 770 one cup capacity footed bowls are also seen in many patterns, but in only two Pyrex opal ware versions, Old Town Blue and Spring Blossom Green.

Mugs (1410)

These D shaped handle, 9 ounce mugs were available in several Pyrex opal ware and numerous other patterns.

Miscellaneous Bakeware (2xx, 9xx)

Rounding out the shapes are a variety of pie plates, loaf pans, cake pans, and utility dishes, most of which were also available in clear glass versions. Their dimensions and capacities can be found under Pyrex Model Numbers.