Pattern Profile: Butterfly Gold (1970)

Introduced in 1970, Butterfly Gold is one of the original Livingware patterns, and it was designed by artist Gregory Mirow.  Until late 1972, dinnerware sets in this pattern were sold with white undecorated bowls.

In 1972, Pyrex Compatibles in Butterfly Gold were launched to accompany Corelle Livingware.  This product line included items like ovenware & nesting bowls, 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 popular 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 also 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 top-selling 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")
Side Plate (6¾")
Saucer (6¼")
 
Centura Cup (round-bottom, 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 flat rim 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, but they always bear the Pyrex brand name.

Juice Pitcher:  1 Qt & 1½ Qt (open handle)
Juice Bottle:  1 Qt & 1½ Qt (no handle, flask shape)
Beverage Jug:  '1½ Qt' 56 oz & '2 Qt' 72 oz (no handle/spout, smooth neck)

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. 

Cheinco Housewares produced metal kitchenware and tins.

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.  Anchor Hocking's Athena in the Placesetters Collection is vaguely suggestive of Butterfly Gold.


Related Articles:

Centura Cup (1970)
Open-Handle Cup (1972)
1410 Mug (1975)
Pyrex Cup (1981)
Suprema Mug (1986)
Soup Plate Pattern List
Plate Styles: Coupe
Pyrex Juice Pitchers & Jugs
1972 Catalogue
1974 Advertisement
1976 Advertisement
1976 Brochure
Who designed the patterns?
What is Suprema?

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