Promotional Pyrex Green Blue Leaf Twin Server!

I really have to say, Pyrex pulled out the stops with their promotional pieces in the late 50s. I was fortunate enough to find a great piece from 1959 in a beautiful milk glass with green and blue leaves on it!

This piece was originally sold as part of a set with a pair of bowls on a brass carrier cradle. The box set was referred to as the Pyrex Twin Server. I looked high and low but was only able to find this singleton... I purchased it during a half price sale and paid one whole dollar.

A friend of mine actually commented that the pattern reminded her of the Cathrineholm lotus leaf pattern. I think the blue and green hues make me think of it too! I like the way the blue fades into the green colour, and how the crisp lines remind me of holding a leaf to the light and seeing its spindly texture.

I am loving the way it looks perched on the classic fave, my blue fridgie that I like to use as a loaf pan...

I have been really lucky with finding some promo pieces over the last few months... If you are interested, check out my Pyrex Blue Scroll Bowl, my Christmas present Pyrex Dandelion Divided Dish, and my first promotional piece, the Pyrex Rooster Pan.

Could it be Cathrineholm?

I went into my local Value Village the other day to scour the goods. I was figuring on slim pickings, since the place was buzzing with customers. Lo and behold, I see a beautiful round white enamelled pan with what appears to be a lotus leaf pattern!


I snatch the piece up and am excited to see how heavy it is. Could it be Cathrineholm? The first time I saw a Cathrineholm piece was at the window of a local thrift store which takes a select few great items, displays them in the front window, and runs a silent auction for two weeks. I was just passing by and was star-struck by an avocado green ice bucket with strikingly beautiful yet simple white leaves. Unfortunately the ice bucket caught others' eyes too, and the bidding was already up to $68 by the time I rolled around.


Back to the present - I'd always been hopeful about finding another piece with the simple paper sticker reading "Made in Norway" with this great pattern, but no such luck.


I believe this might be an authentic round pan based on my flickr "research"... Too bad there is no lid! Perhaps readers like Jeni from In Color Order can help ID this? The underside of the pan is a dark cast-iron-ish material but has weathered to a grey in some areas. The pan is actually in quite good condition. Even if it turns out not to be Cathrineholm, I think it would serve great as a roasting dish for potatoes and such. At $5, I think I made a safe bet.

Hello and Welcome!

Welcome to Six Balloons - a blog describing discoveries I've made rummaging at local thrift and yard sales stores in Vancouver, BC.

The Six Balloons name comes from the surprise and delight seen on my little nieces' faces when presented with colourful balloons - as any good explorer knows, this is the look one tries to contain when stumbling upon a perfect condition pyrex bowl, a vintage edition of your favourite book, or a stunning Cathrineholm ice bucket that you knew nothing about till you saw it.

Stay tuned for updates on my discoveries!