A Renaissance in Cookware - Corning Ware Renaissance Limited Edition Gift Line

Over the last year, I have written up many posts on Corning Ware patterns in order to provide some semblance of a record for the online community.  The whole idea stemmed from the myriad patterns I kept  running into during my quest for my own favorite pattern, being "Wheat".  There has been one pattern, however, that has eluded me over the last year... Actually, it has been eluding me since 2007 when I first found out about it.

Renaissance.   The limited edition Gift Line pattern from 1970.  The pattern is a copy of an old etching of Stockholm's seaport with victory arch in the book Suecia Antiqua et Hodierna written by Erik Dahlbergh around the middle of the 17th century.

The enamel color chosen by Corning to replicate the etching is referred to as Miniver Grey.

(I attempted to re-stage the original ad, alas I am missing the casserole that was in the 2 1/2 quart along with the purple napkin and 4 forks)

This is the complete set (as far as I know right now --  a new piece of Platinum Filigree just surfaced, so who knows)

The P-84-B (4 quart Sauce Pot)

the P-2 1/2-B Sauce Pan (2 1/2 quart Saucepan)

and the P-1 3/4-B quart Sauce Pan (1 3/4 quart Saucepan)

All three of these pieces show only part of the entire scene.   For a more "panoramic view", one must look to the P-35 Broil and Bake tray, however even this is not the entire scene.....

The last piece in the collection is the 9 cup stove top percolator (P-149) which features the Cathedral located on the left side of the tray.

and then continues the etching all the way around the back side.... Giving you the complete picture.

I did get the wood handled cradle with the P-84-B, which is how it originally came.   The smaller saucepans were paired with the chrome "Royal Buffet" candle warming cradles.  I don't particularly care for the wood handled cradle with this pattern, as it covers up too much of the design.  I will probably opt for the Platinum Cradles when I use my Renaissance pieces. Which will only be for "uber" special occasions.

One thing of note, is the special lids that came with the Renaissance pieces (and "Nature's Bounty" in 1971). All 3 of the lids (P-7-C, P-9-C, and P-12-C) have a pebble texture on their underside.....

as opposed the the non-pebbled standard lids (left)

Where is your Corning Ware??
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About Town with Corningware - Into the Unknown

I have posted pictures of every pattern that I am aware of and have seen.  This does not mean there aren't others out there traveling about the United States, Canada and Mexico.

There are 3 that I know of, that I have not seen as of yet.  "Renaissance" and "Platinum Filigree" are out there somewhere, as is the "Delicious" pattern that was printed on French White.

There is also the Classic Elegance line which includes designs like Jardin, Mille Fleur, Deco and Sticks, but I have not seen any of these and to be honest, I probably wont.  They were available for only a couple years in the 80's

There are also the round Buffet servers in White, Butterscotch, and Avocado as well as Laurel, Summerhill, and Lynnwood which matched Centura dinnerware patterns, but most of these are clearly marked as "Buffet Servers" on the bottom.  With the Centura matching pieces, only the lid had a design on it while the body of the piece was solid colored in either Green, Butterscotch, Yellow or White.

But, there are some patterns that I HAVE seen and have no idea what the pattern name is.  May these were test patterns that never made it to market, but managed to make their way into the thrift store.

Mysterious Wheat pattern that I just began collecting.  I have no idea what it's name is, nor do I know how many different pieces were made.

Strange avocado green vine pattern.....this may, or may not be the mysterious "Morning Glory" pattern (not to be confused with the Corelle pattern of the same name... which is blue)

Pink blossoms of some sort......

Then there is this one....  Though it is from the Corning Factory in the Netherlands (Pyroflam), produced for the UK market in the 70s.  I only have 2 pieces of this... a 2 1/2 quart and a 6 cup teapot. 

I have no idea what the name is, but through several searches and piecing bits of information together, it appears that this Blue Leaf design was a promo for "Blue Band" butter.  Simply save the vouchers and you could turn them in for this "Vitroceramic" Pyroflam (that is what Corningware is known as in Europe) Cookware.

Another European piece from the 70s,

marked as Pyrosil Orange or Electro depending on where is was marketed.

These pieces had lids just like the Merry Mushroom that was marketed in the United States.

Where is your Corningware??
~~