The Whimsical '70s CorningWare Pattern That Few People Remember Today

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Vintage CorningWare has gone through quite a revival in recent years, meaning that many thrift-store flippers are now aware of the rare or valuable patterns to keep an eye out for. There are plenty of designs, however, that don't make these most-collectible lists, but are still worth buying for their charm alone.

Country Festival is a delightful pattern from CorningWare produced from 1975 to 1976. It features two bluebirds facing each other across a central tulip, surrounded by more flowers, and the whole design is executed in a whimsical folk art style. Looking at it today, it's unmistakably a vintage piece, but even at the time of release it was designed to have an old-fashioned look. The original CorningWare catalog announced Country Festival as a "remembrance of things past" and a reminder of the "good old days."

Despite the short production run, this is not a vintage cookware set that is currently worth a fortune. Casserole dishes, even in good condition, are regularly sold for around $25. Items in pristine condition or with the original packaging can sell for more, but this is really a pattern worth collecting for the look rather than the resale value.

If you've decided that the Country Festival pattern is just what you need to complete your rustic kitchen design, you shouldn't have too much trouble picking up affordable pieces. The only issue with this pattern in particular is that there can be some confusion with the name, making it harder to search for online. It might be listed as Friendship (which is a vintage Pyrex pattern featuring two birds) or possibly Bluebirds.

CorningWare dishes aren't usually labelled with the pattern name but instead use an identifying number on the back stamp. This will be an alphanumeric code indicating the year, shape number, and pattern, which in this case will mean a "9" at the end. If you're lucky enough to find an item in its original packaging, however, the pattern name will be listed on the box.

The Country Festival pattern was applied to a wide range of cookware and serving ware, including the famous casserole dishes in multiple sizes, saucepans, skillets, and tea and coffee makers. Just be aware that almost all of the Country Festival coffee percolators were part of CorningWare recalls in 1976 and 1979. If you have one of these, it's better if you don't use it for making coffee, but find a decorative use for it, such as repurposing it as a kitchen utensil holder.