Pattern Profile: Butterfly Gold (1970)

Introduced in 1970, and one of the original Livingware patterns, Butterfly Gold proved to be possibly the most popular Corelle pattern in terms of sales.  Its arrangement of bold blossoms and butterflies is an icon, easily recognizable to many.  For the first 2-3 years of production, the dinnerware sets were sold with white undecorated bowls and Livingware Centura cups.

In 1972, Butterfly Gold Pyrex Compatibles were launched to accompany the very popular Corelle dinnerware.  This product line included items like ovenware and nesting bowl sets, as well as Tabletop Ware accessories.

Back Row:  Suprema Mug (flared), Pyrex 1410 Mug.
Front Row:  Pyrex Cup (round bottom), Corelle Open Handle Cup.
 
A long-lived and well-loved pattern, Butterfly Gold seems to have been discontinued officially in the late 1980s or early 1990s.  It did not appear in the 1993 catalogue, for example, but other literature from the mid 1990s places it among current patterns, so the true date is unclear.  Although it was described in 1994 as being among the top-sellers, it was necessary to update Corelle's overall brand image by shedding the familiar designs of the previous generation.  But there is a grey area where the most popular classic patterns remain in production, long past the provisions of the Continuity Promise.  Although boxed sets were no longer available through normal retail channels, selected pieces were still available for open stock purchase in the late 1990s certainly, perhaps even longer.

Corelle Dinnerware:

Dinner Plate (10¼”)
Luncheon Plate (8½”)
Bread & Butter Plate (6¾”)
Saucer (6¼”)
 
Livingware Centura Cup (8 oz)
Open Handle Cup (6-7 oz)
Pyrex Cup (round-bottom, 8 oz)
Suprema Mug (flared, 9 oz)

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

Butterfly Gold Soup Plate

Pyrex Compatibles Tabletop Ware:

1410 Mug (8-9 oz)
Cream & Sugar (old style - small)
Cream & Sugar (new style - large)
Salt & Pepper – white finish
Salt & Pepper – clear
Napkin Rings
Gravy Server
Butter Dish
Margarine Dish

Pyrex Cream & Sugar Set (large)


Pyrex Pitchers:  The pattern can seem a bit non-standard even on genuine Pyrex pitchers.  However, if it is Pyrex it will be marked as such.  There may be other styles and sizes not included in this list.  The exact sizes available for some of these pitchers is undetermined.  It’s possible they were made in both sizes.

Beverage Jug 72 oz (no handle or spout, smooth neck, #3472)
Beverage Jug 56 oz (no handle or spout, smooth neck, #3456)
Juice Bottle 1 Qt or 1.5 Qt (no handle, flask shape, #2932 or 2948)
Juice Pitcher 1 Qt or 1.5 Qt (open handle, #6434 or 6437)

Others:

Manufacturers other than Corning produced their own versions of Butterfly Gold.  The majority of these are unofficial products and close comparison with the genuine Corelle 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 ‘Pirate Gold’. 

Accessory items can also be found by Dispensers Inc. as well as by other companies. 

James Bradley & Assoc. sold glassware and opal pedestal mugs under the ‘Glassmates’ brand. 

A variety of different glassware was made by Libbey in various combinations of gold, brown and white on both clear and amber glass.

Termo-Rey opal glass dinnerware was produced by Brasividro.

Please see the 'Other Manufacturers' menu at the left side of this page.

Related Articles:

Centura Cup (1970)
1410 Mug (1972)
Open-Handle (1973)
Pyrex Cup (1981)
Suprema Mug (1986)
Soup Plate Pattern List
Plate Styles: Coupe
1972 Catalogue
1974 Advertisement
1976 Advertisement

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