#Notable #CorningWare #Patterns #Worth #Collecting #WorthPoint
Last spring, I took a trip to Lewisburg, West Virginia, for the annual chocolate festival. Being a vintage/antique enthusiast, I wandered into the antique shops to browse. I was looking for something eclectic, but nothing appealed to me until I saw a pair of vintage CorningWare casserole dishes in one of the shops. They had the trademark “blue cornflower” design, and they reminded me of my mom’s kitchen. Nostalgia hit me—and I bought them.
Like me, if you also love the enduring elegance and unmatched utility of CorningWare, here are a few popular CorningWare patterns you must own.
BLUE CORNFLOWER
The first CorningWare pattern, as well as the longest-running design, is the Blue Cornflower. The name is synonymous with glorious blue-flowered casserole dishes. Its minimalist design features three petite flowers with leaves on a solid white background. The patterns date to the late 1950s, and since it is the first pattern to be released by CorningWare, it is the most recognizable and popular motif.
CorningWare made two variations of Blue Cornflower pieces: those pre-1973 and those from 1973 onwards. You can see the difference if you have Blue Cornflower items from both periods. The very first line has sloped sides. So, they obviously hold more value to collectors than the norm. Later, the sides became straighter.
While getting your hands on the pre-1973 pieces might prove challenging, you might find a few pieces from a later period in your mum’s kitchen. Even though this design was produced in abundant quantity, it remains one of the most popular vintage CorningWare patterns.
RENAISSANCE
The Renaissance pattern is the only CorningWare style that features a city as a design. This distinctive line has my heart as I always search for unconventional and new motifs. This 1970 limited-edition design features a black-and-white sketched panoramic view of Stockholm during the Renaissance era. The pattern is inspired by an etching of the Stockholm seaport in the 17th-century book Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna (Ancient and Modern Sweden) by Erik Dahlbergh.
The sketches of the Renaissance city of Stockholm differ across the complete Renaissance collection. Some feature the city’s skyline, the port, the ships’ mast, ancient drawn carriages, and Swedes. The collection has five items: a broil and bake tray, a stovetop percolator, and three pans with lids.
This pattern’s limited availability and unconventional design—reminiscent of the marvelous Renaissance engineering—make it an attractive choice for collectors.
STARBURST
The Starburst is another CorningWare pattern that does not have the brand’s trademark floral motif. Introduced in 1959, the pattern was used exclusively on coffee percolators. The Starburst motif is simple—three precisely angled four-pointed stars arranged symmetrically at the center of the percolator’s surface. Stylized patterns surround the most prominent star of the design; the other two are smaller. It was an ode to futuristic America.
Two versions of this design were made: platinum and black. The platinum was the first version to be released; the black version was introduced later. Since the platinum design had a very short run, items featuring it are harder to get your hands on, and hence, vintage examples of this design are considered highly collectible.
Due to technical issues, CorningWare recalled its percolators in the late 1970s, including its Starburst percolators. However, a rare handful are still around, making them of paramount importance among collectors. Who wouldn’t love to have a few rare items in their collection?
WILDFLOWER
The beautiful and refreshing Wildflower pattern was manufactured from 1977 until 1984. This design—an eclectic mix of bright reds, oranges, and yellows—has a wistful, nostalgic charm. It recalls my childhood memories, visiting fields with my grandfather covered in beautiful summer flowers. Maybe that’s why CorningWare’s Wildflower gives me a sense of endless joy.
This was the first collection to feature a bright color pallet on the trademark white background. The motif showcases bright red/orange poppies surrounded by blue and pink flowers and yellow daises. There is a minor color difference between the collection of 1977 and those produced afterward. The 1977 set has red poppies, but from 1978 on, the color of the poppies changed to bright orange. The rest of the design remained the same.
The elegant and timeless Wildflower pattern was an instant hit, and it remains a preferred choice among collectors drawn to this cheerful and versatile tableware.
SPICE OF LIFE
The iconic Spice of Life—or some may know it as French Spice—is the second most popular and plentiful CorningWare pattern to be made after Blue Cornflower. And that’s why it might be easier for you to find this pattern than others. Debuting in 1972 and continuing until 1987, the collection had a long production run.
Each piece in this collection boasts intricate earthy-toned motifs of various vegetables—namely artichokes, garlic, mushrooms, peppers, and tomatoes—along with spices and herbs. The design is reminiscent of American country kitchens and home-cooked meals.
Some of the earliest pieces of this collection are marked with French names of spices inscribed below the pattern, hence the name “French Spice.” The terms include “L’Echalote & La Marjolaine” (Shallot & Marjoram), “La Marjolaine” (Marjoram), “L’Echalote” (Shallot), and “Le Romarin” (Rosemary), to name a few. You will not find these names in later designs, making these pieces desirable to collectors.
The timeless appeal of CorningWare captivates both collectors of vintage cookware and retro décor enthusiasts. It captures the essence of the bygone eras while simultaneously offering practical utility in modern times.
To learn more about how to identify and value vintage CorningWare patterns, check out our Dictionary page on the famous brand.
Nazia Safi is a freelance writer who has been writing about antiques, art, and auctions for over half a decade. As an avid reader, she is always enthusiastic about learning new things. She studied business administration before working as a freelance writer with several art, auctions, and design publications.
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