Pattern Profile: Spice O' Life (1981) 

Spice O' Life is a multi-coloured design depicting various vegetables and herbs, and the Corelle version was introduced in 1981 as one of four patterns in the new Traditions Livingware line.  Corning Ware in this pattern was made from 1972 to 1988, and its immense popularity overshadows the Corelle version. 

Bowls, saucers and oval platters are decorated on the rim with only a single dark green band.  The patterns in the Traditions line were the first to come with opal Pyrex round bottom cups and large cream & sugar sets.  The product line was relatively short-lived and all patterns, including Spice O' Life Corelle, were discontinued at the end of 1983.  This pattern was designed by artists Alice Kiernan, Patricia Luzier & Gregory Mirow in the early 1970s.

Dinner Plate and Pyrex round-bottom cup.

Centura Tableware in Spice O' Life was available from 1975 to 1977, and the design on those pieces more closely matches the cookware.  The Corelle version is produced in just three colours, with green being most predominant.  So at first glance, the Corelle doesn’t seem a very obvious match to the Corning Ware, but the same motifs are present on both products, although they might be coloured differently.

Comparing Corning Ware casserole and Corelle dinner plate.  The brown tomato is the most obvious absence from the Corelle version.

On the Corning Ware side, there is a huge number of items available since it was one of the three basic patterns of the 1970s & 80s (along with Blue Cornflower and Wildflower).  Classic Corning Ware shapes were made in sizes ranging from 1¾ cup Petite Pans to 5 Qt casseroles.  Other pieces include baking pans, roasters, Menu-ette sets, Rangetoppers, Fast Food dishes, Grab-Its & Casser-ettes, Counter Savers, teapots, drip coffee makers, and percolators with chrome spouts, white spouts and plastic spouts.

15 oz Grab-It and 24 oz Grab-A-Meal in Spice O' Life.  The Grab-A-Meal is identifiable by its extra half-handle.  Casser-ettes (14 oz) are similar, with a shallow oval shape and two half-handles.

(Photo below: Grab-It with a different design.  It matches the Grab-A-Meal pictured above, with a brown pepper instead of a red pepper.)

Corelle Dinnerware:

Dinner Plate (10¼")
Luncheon Plate (8½")
Bread & Butter Plate (6¾")
Saucer (6¼") *

Pyrex Cup (round-bottom, 8 oz)
Pyrex Cream & Sugar (new style - large)

Dessert Bowl (10 oz 5 3/8") *
Soup/Cereal Bowl (18 oz 6¼") *

1 Qt Serving Bowl (8½") *
2 Qt Serving Bowl (10¼") *
Oval Platter (12½") *
 
* - one dark green band

Store ‘N’ See Canisters:
A wide selection of clear Pyrex containers with patterned lids was made for Spice O’ Life.

¾ cup Canister
¾ cup Salt & Pepper Shakers
1 pint Canister
1 Qt Canister
1½ Qt Canister
2½ Qt Canister
85 oz Pasta Keeper

 
 
Others:

Manufacturers other than Corning produced their own versions of Spice O’ Life.  The majority of these are unofficial products and close comparison with the genuine Corelle or Corning Ware pattern will reveal variations in the design. 

Most notable among these companies, Gemco produced many popular tabletop accessories in their ‘Matchables’ product line, using the pattern name ‘Spice Excitement’. 

Accessory items also can be found from Dominion Glass and Dispensers Inc.  Dominion Glass also made glassware to match, the shape is very similar to Libbey's 'single bulge' style, but the pattern is different.

Cheinco Housewares produced metal kitchenware and tins.

James Bradley & Assoc. sold opal pedestal mugs under the ‘Glassmates’ brand.  Glassware with a white finish was also made and bears the incription, 'Le Verre'.

There is also a taller style of pedestal mug by Federal Glass which is much more prevalent than the B-handled type.

Glassware was made by Libbey in a full-colour design which included the phrase, ‘Bonne Sante’. 

In fact, since Spice O’ Life is such a long-lived and popular pattern, the list of companies and products with this same general motif is potentially endless.  But a short list of the most interesting items would include: small appliances from K-Mart, plastic ware from Sterilite, mugs (both clear and opal) and storage jars by Arc International of France and pottery named 'Spice Delight' by McCoy.  Please see the 'Other Manufacturers' menu at the left side of this page.

Related Articles:

Pyrex Cup (1981)
Plate Styles: Coupe
Pyrex Store 'N' See Canisters
Centura Tableware Profiles
Corning Ware Teapots
Corning Ware P-4 Casserole
Corning Ware Fast Food Dishes
Corning Ware Petite Pans
Plastic Spout Percolators, Automatic & See-Thru
Comparing Corning Ware & Store 'N' See to Gemco Ware
Comparing Tea/Coffee & Cookware
Comparing Teapot Variations
Comparing Tea/Coffee & Indian Summer
1973 Catalogue Spice O' Life Corning Ware
What about the French phrases on Spice O' Life?
Corning Ware Coffee Percolator Recall
Who designed the patterns?

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