Based in Northwest Florida, Pam Northrup, PhD, is an educational leader who provides immersive learning solutions and has designed online learning programs for higher education. With a passion for vintage design, Pam Northrup enjoys antiquing in her free time.
One of the most iconic types of vintage kitchenware is the CorningWare Blue Cornflower collection. Launched in 1958, it was produced in Corning, New York, as a first-of-its kind oven to dinner table product. It was made from the World War II-era composite Pyroceram, which is engineered to withstand extremely high temperatures. Distinctive corning Pyrex glass lids topped bakeware such as casserole dishes.
Among the pieces to feature distinctive blue floral designs on a white background were pie plates, roasters, mixing bowls, ramekins, and teapots. Over the years, various cookware items also featured other patterns, such as the starburst pattern found on coffee percolators from 1959 to 1963. In the early 1970s, CorningWare added the floral bouquet pattern, which paired large bloom outlines with hints of yellow and blue, and smaller clusters of surrounding flowers. Another highly coveted design is Blue Heather, which featured small five-petal blooms and was only produced for a few years in the mid 1970s. Reflecting its enduring popularity, the Cornflower dinnerware collection, after being discontinued in 1988, was brought back in 2017.
