Pyrex Compatibles - Butterfly Gold (1972)

This line of Pyrex was introduced in 1972 to complement the Corelle pattern first launched in 1970.  The original design on the ovenware and nesting bowls is symmetrical with a large flower in the centre flanked on either side by leaves, butterflies and smaller flowers.  The colour scheme of the complete sets alternates between white on gold and gold on white.  The greatest variety of pieces is available with the original pattern, as it seems it was in the early years that many new shapes and sizes were introduced and then quickly discontinued.  All pieces with the original 1972 design were discontinued by 1979, if not earlier.

401 & 402 with the New 1979 design in orange and yellow, and a 401 with the Original 1972 design in gold.

The pattern was updated in 1979 and the new version features a bouquet of smaller flowers on stems flowing from left to right.  The new colour scheme on the complete sets alternates between a darker orange-gold and a lighter yellow-gold shade with the pattern in white.  From 1979 to 1981, its final year, the selection of Butterfly Gold was limited to nesting bowl sets and 470/480 round casseroles.  Corelle in this pattern remained in production for many years afterwards.  

Beginning in 1979 through to 1981 the 474 and 475 casseroles were sold individually with the numbers 484 and 485 respectively on the boxes.  Normally when the 474 was sold in a set it was the lighter yellow-gold shade.  However, when it was sold singly it was decorated with the darker orange-gold colour.

It is quite unfortunate that a popular reference book claims that Butterfly Gold Pyrex dates from the ‘late 60s'.  That turns out to be false.  It was introduced in 1972 to complement to the very popular Corelle dinnerware.

(Photo: 501 refrigerator dish.)

Nesting Bowls:

Original Design 1972:

300 Series Round - 401- 403 - gold, white, gold

400 Series Round - 401- 404 - gold, white, gold, white

440 Series Cinderella - 441 - 444 - white, gold, white, gold

New Design 1979:

300 Series Round - 401 - 403 - orange, yellow, orange

440 Series Cinderella - 441 - 444 - yellow, orange, yellow, orange

Ovenware:

Original Design 1972:

4 Quart Round Casserole - 664 - gold

2 Quart Round Bottom Casserole - 024 - white

Round Cinderella Casseroles (470 Set) - 471 - 473 - gold, white, gold

Round Cinderella Casseroles (480 Set) - 473 - 475 - gold, white, gold

Oval Casseroles - 943/043, 945/045 - both gold (with decorated opal lids, clear lids from 1978 onward)

Divided Dish - 963/063 (dish is gold with no pattern, decorated opal lid)

Baking Pans - Loaf Pan white, 8x8 Pan white, 9x13 Pan gold

Refrigerator Dishes - 501 white, 502 gold, 503 gold

New Design 1979:

Round Cinderella Casseroles (470 Set) - 471 - 473 - orange, yellow, orange

Round Cinderella Casseroles (480 Set) - 473 - 475 - orange, yellow, orange

Round Cinderella Casserole (484 or 485 Set) - 474 or 475 - both orange

Related Articles:

1974 Brochure - 470 sets
1976 catalogue page
1981 Brochure - Pyrex Ware