The 411 on the C-311 - Centura & Pyrocream Tableware Mugs

I don't talk about Centura and Pyroceram Tableware as much as I probably should.  It IS, after all, a form of Pyroceram, just like Corning Ware.  But I usually hang with the Cook n' Serve items that were made of the actual Corning Ware formula, instead of the Centura Pyroceram items that are not safe for microwave use.  I think this has something to do with the Ion Exchange strengthening process that Centura goes through.

Be that as it may, today I would like to ramble along on the subject of the 10/11oz mug model number C-311-some number (depending on the pattern or color).  They were listed as both sizes in marketing materials, depending on whether it was the 60s or the 70s and were manufactured between 1964 and, at least, 1980 maybe slightly longer.

They were available in white, of course,

but also in Avocado Green, Gold, Yellow and Brown.

(The same colors as were used for the Coordinates - Alas, no blue)
 

 Corning Ware patterns jumped over to these mugs as well (Sorry, No Blue Cornflower).

Spice o' Life,

Country Festival,

and Wildflower

Then there is the Centura pattern known as "Game Birds".  It is unclear if all of the birds were available on the mugs or not.  The only one I currently own is the Ruffed Grouse.

There is also the set of 4 flying game birds, that are unrelated to the Centura Dinnerware pattern.  These particular prints seem to have been extremely popular with several companies over the years and the same patterns will crop up on miscellaneous items like Teapots, Tea cups, Plates and bowls all made by different manufacturers out of different materials.

The set consists of the Flying Ring-Necked Pheasants and Flying Mallard Ducks...

as well as the Flying Canada Geese... (which I don't have, but I have a sidekick with the pattern as well as a Hall Teapot)

and Flying Quail (Which I also don't own, but I have a Crown Staffordshire Enligh Bone China Teacup in the same pattern)
 

Not related to the above set, is the bird dog retrieving a mallard mug... I am not sure if there are more bird dog mugs or not.

Completely unrelated to any game birds or dogs is the set of 4 Golfer mugs.

Then there is the mug from the children's Goldilocks & the 3 Bears set. (there is also a standard cup as well as the C-311)

There are also a bunch of miscellaneous promotional prints as well.  Though how many there are, is unknown at this time, but here are just a couple of the designs.

Where is your Corning Ware??
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Morning Coffee with Avocado Medallion

We are all familiar with the Avocado Medallion percolators that were sold as an accompaniment to the Avocado Round Cookware series.

Both stove top models....

and Electromatic models.

But did you know that there were Centura coffee cups to go along with the percolator?

I didn't either until a few months ago; but they make a great morning pairing.

Where is your Corning Ware??
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Operation Cornflower Complete - Centura Dinner Service for 4 and a Cup of Coffee with the Cornflower Giveaway

I have been on a tireless search for the last couple of months.  Ever since I succeeded in hunting down the dinner plates for my Centura Cornflower, I have been hunting high and low for the ever elusive bowls to accompany my service for 4.  It has been a quest fraught with peril and frustration.  I've braved blistering winds and scorching deserts...  Climbed to the highest room of the tallest tower... and...  um, Wait!  Sorry, wrong movie.

I have searched high and low, hither and yon, over hill, over dale, down dusty trails and back again. 
Then FINALLY!

I have completed my quest, with the added bonus of 4 tea cups and saucers as well. (cause they were just sitting right there next to the bowls)

Not into Tea?  That's all right, I got your back.  I found 5 coffee cups in Suprema (produced much later than the Centura) for those who would rather have a cup o' Joe.

I am not completely sure that they are Suprema, they may be actual "Corningware" but I know for certain that they are NOT Centura, because they have "Microwave OK" embossed on the bottom, and Centura cannot be used in the microwave.

I like the smaller bowls.  They are solid white, and initially intended for the plain white coupe set, but since the tea cups are "suppose" to be solid white, I figured I can sneak in some plain white stuff here and there to break up the Cornflower, not to mention the Blue in general.

The 6 5/8 bowls that actually go with the service are interesting in that they are blue on the outside and white on the inside.

Evidently, mine are the older ones, because they have a white bottoms.  I guess later, the entire outside finish was blue.

So, this is my completed service for 4 (with extras).  I keep telling myself that I am stopping at this point, since it's REALLY the Corningware that I am interested in for cooking purposes.  It remains to be seen as to whether I can control my obsessive compulsive self and refrain from purchasing any more Centura Pieces.

But in the interest of Retro-Coolness, I don't think it gets much better than this.

In case you missed it, I found 5 coffee mugs... and while they may, or may not, be Corningware, they have still been lovingly adorn with that "Oh, so recognizable" little blue flower.  Since I only need 4 mugs to go with my dinner service, I have decided to host yet another giveaway and bestow this "extra" coffee mug on 1 lucky winner.

What better way to enjoy your morning coffee than with the bright and cheery Cornflower staring back at you?

This "A Cup of Coffee with the Cornflower" giveaway will run from today, October 24th, thru the witching hour on Halloween (11:59pm on the 31st)  The winner will be drawn on November 1st (all Saints Day) and be promptly notified via email for shipping information.

So leave a comment, pin this, subscribe via email, Tweet or +1 this and so on.  It's up to you how you wish to enter and how many times you do.

Good luck!

Where is your Corningware?? (Centura??)
~~

Cornflowers Here, Cornflowers There, Cornflowers Cornflowers EVERYWHERE!

I still find it quite laughable that, even though I detest the color blue, I have developed such a love for Cornflower.  Wheat and French White are still my all time favorites, but there is just something about that little blue cornflower.  It's not like normal blues.  I guess one can be a walking paradox if one wishes.

I don't like Navy blue cause it depresses me...  I don't like Cobalt blue because it just makes me feel nauseated.  Royal blue & electric blue are just so insidiously in your face, that is annoys me.  I don't like Robin's egg blue, because it feels cold and uncomfortable to me, as does most pale or light blues.  Neon blue (an 80's fashion don't) never should have existed in the first place. Sky blue is OK, but it belongs outside, on the sky, not in my house.  Mom's house use to be "dusty" blue ALL over the place in the 80's.  Blue carpet, blue paint, blue wallpaper in the dining room, blue dishes, blue table cloth, blue sofa, blue chairs, blue dish towels, blue curtains, blue background pictures, right down to the Christmas ornaments.... Blue Blue Blue Blue Blue Blue!!!!     The inside of her Ford Escort Wagon was even Blue!   ARGH!

I use to hide in my blessedly calm and soothing BROWN bedroom ALL the time to keep from being assaulted by BLUE!   I am just an earth tone kind of guy.  Give me olive green, dark eggplant purple, rich deep orange, dark golds and browns. (which is why I love the Wheat pattern so much)

But as I stated, there is just something about that little blue cornflower.  It's a happy blue, it's a classy blue, and placed, as it is, upon a white background, it's a crisp and clean blue.  It's a bright and eye catching, yet comforting blue.  Maybe it's because I associate that little blue cornflower with delicious things coming from my Mom and Grandmother's kitchens. 

All I know, is that THIS is the only blue for me.....

And now it graces my dinner table, for I have found a couple of the Centura dinner plates to match the smaller ones I recently found at the Salvation Army store.

As luck would have it, though they are not part of the original dinner service, I found a couple of coffee mugs too.

These mugs were released decades later than the Centura dinnerware.  They are made out of, what I believe to be, Suprema, which completely supplanted Centura by the fact that it was microwave compatible.  Besides, the original place cups (with saucers) were of a similar "coupe" shape to match the dinnerware and did not have a cornflower on them, they were simply white.  (though the bowls, which I have yet to find, were solid blue)

So I just thought I would share an almost complete Blue Cornflower place setting.

It may not be actual Corningware, but all the pieces are some form of pyroceram, though both are glazed.  (Yep, Suprema has to be glazed too)

Where is your Corningware??
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