Pyrex Dinnerware: Vintage 50S Charm

The 1950s saw the introduction of colourful patterns and new shapes in the world of Pyrex dinnerware, with the decade marking a significant shift in the product's design. During this time, Pyrex expanded its range with specialty dishes for entertaining, as informal get-togethers like potlucks gained popularity. The 50s Pyrex dinnerware sets featured a variety of colours, including lime, flamingo pink, turquoise, and dove gray, which debuted in 1953. The decade also saw the introduction of screen-printed patterns, such as Pink Daisy and Snowflake, which came in multiple colour combinations. Some patterns, like Butterprint and Gooseberry, were available in both traditional bowls and the new Cinderella style, featuring a handle and a spout. Today, these vintage sets are highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts, with platforms like Etsy offering a range of options for those looking to own a piece of Pyrex history.

Vintage Pyrex in Maroon, Cream and Sugar

Pyrex has been producing durable and stylish dinnerware since the 1950s. The brand is well known for its vintage cream and sugar sets, with a variety of designs and colours available.

One such design is the Vintage Pyrex Maroon, Cream and Sugar set. This set features a rich, deep maroon colour with a gold band accent. The gold band adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the set, making it perfect for formal dining or special occasions. The set typically includes a sugar bowl, a creamer or pitcher, and sometimes cups, saucers, and mugs.

The Maroon Gold Rim Sugar Bowl is a signature piece in this collection, often featuring the Pyrex logo embossed on the base. It measures approximately 3.5" wide by 2" tall and is marked with the model number 043. The creamer or pitcher has a similar design, with a gold band and maroon colour, and a capacity of 8 ounces.

In addition to the Maroon Gold Rim set, Pyrex also offers other vintage cream and sugar sets in a variety of colours and patterns. For instance, the Pyrex Crazy Daisy Spring Blossom set features a green, yellow, and white floral design, while the Pyrex Old Town Blue set showcases a classic blue and white colour combination.

These vintage Pyrex cream and sugar sets are highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts, with many sets available on sites like Etsy and eBay. They make a charming addition to any table setting and are a testament to the enduring style and functionality of Pyrex dinnerware.

1950s Pyrex in Primary Colours

The 1950s saw the introduction of colourful patterns and new shapes in the world of Pyrex, with some designs becoming standards produced for multiple years, and others being limited-edition seasonal promotional items.

The primary colours of the 1940s were soon joined by lime green and flamingo pink in 1952, with dinnerware featuring coloured rims in these shades, as well as dove grey and turquoise, being introduced in 1953. In 1956, pastel yellow, pink and turquoise were added to the solid colour bakeware range, and the first screen-printed patterns were released in the form of Pink Daisy and Snowflake.

The iconic primary-coloured set of four mixing bowls in yellow, green, red and blue was released in the 1940s, with variations in the shades of these primary colours being released throughout the years. The oldest sets from the 1940s were not numbered on the bottom, and featured the markings 'T.M. REG.' in an arch above 'PYREX' horizontally in the middle, and 'U.S. PAT. OFF' below in an up-facing arch. The later 1950s sets did feature numbers on the bottom.

The popularity of this set is unrivalled, and it can still be purchased on sites such as Etsy, although caution is advised when purchasing a Primary Bowl Set that the seller claims is rare or old.

1950s Pyrex in Promotional Patterns

Pyrex in the 1950s saw the introduction of colourful patterns and new shapes, as well as specialty dishes for entertaining. Some patterns became standards produced for multiple years, while others were seasonal promotional items with a limited run.

Promotional patterns were offered for a short period, usually on a limited number of items. In the 1950s, promotional items were typically released in the spring for Mother's Day and the June bridal season, and in the fall for the holiday season.

Promotional gift set patterns were released in Black Tulip, Scroll, Bluebird, and Golden. Many unnamed patterns were later given names by collectors, such as Compass, Yellow Starburst, and Dandelion Duet.

Some patterns that did not have full sets of pieces were Pink Daisy and Snowflake. Both patterns were used on Space Savers, Oval Casseroles, Divided Dishes, and Open Bakers. Snowflake included white on turquoise, turquoise on white, white on black, and even black on yellow.

There are quite a few promotional divided dishes, such as the Barbed Wire Divided dish. The Terra pattern isn't exactly a promotional pattern, but it wasn't made in many pieces.

Some promotional pieces are made in regular patterns. There are promotional Butterprint and Gooseberry patterns. One of the most coveted promotional sets is the New Dots Mixing Bowl Set.

The Corning Museum of Glass's Pyrex Pattern Library has a timeline that features popular colours and patterns through the years. Some notable patterns include:

• Snowflakes (both white on blue and white on black) ruled from the mid-1950s to the late 1960s.
• Butterprint farm scenes with male and female figures, roosters, and plants decorated Pyrex from the later 1950s to the late 1960s.
• Gooseberry, featuring berries on vines with leaves, was popular in the late 1950s through most of the 1960s.

Pyrex in Seasonal Colours

Pyrex has been a staple in kitchens since the 1940s, and its iconic primary-coloured mixing bowl set in yellow, green, red, and blue has become a collector's item. The colours of Pyrex ware reflected the tastes of the times, with cheerful early primary colours in the 1940s, such as lime green and flamingo pink, and turquoise, pink, and pale yellow in the 1950s.

The 1950s saw a range of seasonal colours for Pyrex dinnerware, including:

• Salmon pink, red, and gold
• Flamingo pink with a gold rim
• Butterprint in turquoise and white
• Verde olive and avocado green
• Flamingo red with gold rim
• Yellow
• Flamingo pink
• Red and blue
• Turquoise

These colours were often paired with patterns like Butterprint, featuring a farmer with a shovel, or the more simple Snowflake pattern.

The 1960s introduced warmer tones and pastels, such as Sandalwood and Early American, with brighter colours like the Daisy pattern, which featured bright yellows and oranges, following later in the decade.

Pyrex's colour choices were an important part of its marketing and success, and the subtle differences in shades from one pattern to another are important for collectors to distinguish.

1950s Pyrex Tableware

Pyrex tableware in the 1950s was known for its vibrant colours and unique patterns, marking a departure from the primary-coloured opalware that was introduced in the post-World War II era. The 1950s saw Pyrex introduce a range of colourful patterns, new shapes, and specialty dishes designed for entertaining. Some designs became standards produced for multiple years, while others were limited-edition promotional items.

The colour and pattern options expanded greatly during this decade. In 1952, Lime and Flamingo Pink joined the existing range of Pyrex Primary Colours. The following year, dinnerware with coloured rims in Lime, Flamingo Pink, Turquoise, and Dove Gray was introduced, offering a vibrant addition to tables across the nation. In 1955, a speckled yellow and pink combination called Desert Dawn was released, providing a more subtle and earthy tone to the usual bright colours of the time.

The year 1956 saw the expansion of the solid colour bakeware range with the introduction of pastel yellow, pastel pink, and pastel turquoise. This softer colour palette offered a more understated option for those who preferred a more muted aesthetic. The same year, Pyrex debuted its first screen-printed patterns: Pink Daisy and Snowflake. These patterns came in a variety of colour combinations, including white on turquoise, turquoise on white, and white on charcoal, adding a playful touch to mealtimes.

In 1957, Pyrex introduced two new patterns, Butterprint and Gooseberry, which were available in both traditional-style bowls and the new "Cinderella" style. The Cinderella bowls featured a handle on one side and a spout on the other, making them unique and functional. This era also saw the release of promotional gift set patterns in designs such as Black Tulip, Scroll, Bluebird, and Golden, as well as unnamed patterns that were later christened by collectors with names like "Compass" and "Yellow Starburst."

The 1950s also witnessed the rise in popularity of informal gatherings like potlucks, and Pyrex responded by introducing a range of accessories that complemented their tableware. Cradles, carriers, and warmers allowed people to easily transport their favourite Pyrex dishes from their oven to a neighbour's table, revolutionising the way people shared food and socialised.

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