Pattern Profile: Blue Macrame, Green Macrame (197?)

The Macrame design was produced in both Blue and Green, and it is one of the more enigmatic Corelle patterns, with very little known information.  To some extent the cup style and colour choices do speak for themselves and give a reasonable estimate of the date of manufacture.  Since it comes with hook-handle cups, it is probably not older than late 1972.  The Green version is the same colour as Spring Blossom Green, but the Blue version matches Snowflake Blue which was discontinued early 1976.  So potentially this places Blue Macrame & Green Macrame between 1972 and 1976.

A few observations have been made regarding where and how this pattern was available.  It was packaged in large 41-piece sets, with eight place settings which included undecorated 10 oz dessert bowls and a 1 Qt serving bowl, also plain white.  In essence, there are only four pieces made with the Macrame decoration.

Dinner Plates & Luncheon Plates; Blue Macrame & Green Macrame.

The unusual circumstances of this pattern might provide some clues about its origins, or fuel for speculation at least.  While it is true that mainstream patterns like Butterfly Gold were originally sold with undecorated bowls, this was no longer common practice by late 1972.  Considering the plain bowls together with the borrowed colours from other patterns, there is a sense that this pattern was produced with minimal time and effort.  The original box is quite basic with very little shelf appeal too.  These aspects point to a product designed to have a low unit cost, probably with the ultimate purpose of being a give-away or promotional item, rather than destined for the competitive retail market.

In terms of appearance, this Corelle pattern has much in common with certain Corning Ware pieces which are well known to have been made specially as promotional gifts.  Apparently the Corning Ware pattern was named Medallion, and was produced from 1972-74 for the Shell Oil Company.  Like Macrame, it was also made in Blue and Green.

Corning Ware:  Blue Medallion, Green Medallion.

Reportedly Blue and Green Macrame were sold in the factory store at the plant in Corning, but it is not known whether this was the only source.  A factory outlet, in the truest sense, typically exists in order to sell off surplus goods which cannot be distributed elsewhere.  The locations of items appearing on the market today are concentrated in New York State, with only a few sightings further afield; there is no evidence that this pattern ever achieved nation-wide circulation.  Records state that it was made for only a short time and was dropped due to imperfections in the pattern. 

All things considered, there is reason to believe that this is a pattern that was discontinued before it was even introduced.  It seems likely that a promotion was intended and the design was put into production in anticipation.  When the idea was abandoned, a quantity of unwanted inventory would be left behind.  This is just a theory with lots of room for error, and it is hoped that one day more concrete information will surface.

Hook Handle Cups with Saucers:  Green Macrame, Blue Macrame.

Corelle Dinnerware:
Dinner Plate (10¼”)
Luncheon Plate (8½”)
Saucer (6¼”)
Open Handle Cup (6-7 oz)

Notable Absences:
Bread & Butter Plate (6¾”)
Dessert Bowl (10 oz 5 3/8”)
Soup/Cereal Bowl (18 oz 6¼”)
Flat Rim Soup Plate (8½”)
1 Qt Serving Bowl (8½”)
2 Qt Serving Bowl (10¼”)
Oval Platter (12½”)
Open Handle Cream & Sugar
Pyrex Compatibles Tabletop Ware

Others:
So far, no glassware has surfaced which would match this pattern.  There have not been any unofficial imitations from other manufacturers noted either.

Related Articles:

Open-Handle Cup (1972)
Plate Styles: Coupe
 

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