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Pattern Profile: Spice O' Life (1981)
Spice O' Life Corning Ware was manufactured from 1972 to 1988, and it was designed by artists Alice Kiernan, Patricia Luzier & Gregory Mirow. The Corelle version was introduced in 1981 as one of four patterns in the new Traditions Livingware line
Patterns in this grouping were the first to come with opal Pyrex round bottom cups and large cream & sugar sets. Bowls, saucers and oval platters are decorated on the rim with a single dark green band. Traditions was a short-lived product line and all patterns, including Spice O' Life Corelle, were discontinued at the end of 1983.
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 closely matches the cookware. The Corelle version is printed with just three colours, green being most predominant. So the Corelle version might not seem to be a perfect match, 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.
In Corning Ware, there is a huge number of items available since it was one of the three standard patterns of the 1970s & 1980s, along with Blue Cornflower & Wildflower. Regular square Corning Ware shapes were made in sizes ranging from 1¾ cup Petite Pans to 5 Qt casseroles. Round Buffet Server shapes with clear sculptured lids exist in six sizes. 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 right: 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")
Side 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 names "Spice Excitement" and "Top O' Spice".
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 also exists, inscribed with "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 by Libbey includes the phrase "Bonne Sante". Dominion Glass made similar shaped glassware which omits the lettering.
Spice O' Life was copied widely in the housewares industry, and 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 & tableware (both clear and opal) and storage jars by Arc International of France; and pottery named "Spice Delight" from McCoy.
Related Articles:
Pyrex Cup (1981)
Plate Styles: Coupe
Pyrex Store 'N' See Canisters
Centura Gallery: Spice O' Life (1975)
Centura Tableware Profiles
Corning Ware Teapots
Corning Ware P-4 Casserole
Corning Ware Fast Food Dishes
Corning Ware Petite Pans
Corning Ware Grab-Its, Sidekicks, etc.
Corning Ware Buffet Servers
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 Percolator Recall
Who designed the patterns?
NEXT Traditions Profile.
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