Back in the day, when you purchased a Westinghouse refrigerator, they gave away these lovely leftover dishes manufactured by The Hall China Company. When I bought my fridge, I got complimentary plastic ice cube trays – clearly, times have changed.
The orange dish was from Hall’s Hercules line made from 1940 to 1941. The blue rectangular dish is the ‘Phoenix’ – the earliest (1938) design by Hall for Westinghouse. I love these for their bright colors and clean, Deco style.
Well I happen to have a blue butter dish, I guess, want it? Good shape, a bit dusty, got it years ago when I was cleaning out a house.
Cindy, thank you for your kind offer – it just so happens that I already own one in blue. Due to space/clutter issues, I’m trying not to collect duplicates – but thanks again!
I’m happy I found this entry. Now I know that my blue refrigerator dish is part of the ‘Peasant” line, and exceedingly apropos at that. I wonder, though, perhaps you know, the bottom of the dish is white, with the stamp. Mine has a blue interior, and all else is the same, save for the non-blue, white bottom? I wouldn’t think it a reproduction, but I wonder about the difference.
It may be from the Hercules line – similar to the orange dish pictured above. If it has the stamp, I doubt that it’s a reproduction.
I just bought 2 blue dishes with lids and have searched information to see what they are. The bottom hreads Hall for Westinghouse and the dish is rectangular with a domed rectangular lid. Things online call them loaf dishes, refrigerator dishes or casserile dishes. I am wondering if I can bake a loaf of bread in them or cook a meatloaf or a casserole in them.
Hi Daphne –
When I was rooting around for info on Hall-Westinghouse, I saw the same exact thing – photos of identical dishes were referred to as casserole dishes or refrigerator dishes. While I’m not an expert, I would err on the side of caution and NOT put them in the oven.
I have used my Phoenix blue loaf pan with lid in the oven for many years, and believe it was manufactured with that in mind as one of it’s uses.
Thanks for clarifying that – good to know!
Can you use these in the oven???
Pedia said that she’s been using her loaf pan in the oven for years – so it sounds like it’s fine!
I have 2 of the rectangular yellow dishes with lids, I have no idea when they are from. Are they oven safe?
Greg – I’m no expert, but If you read through the comments on this post, a commenter said that she’s used hers in the oven.
Hello Tina, I have been writing back and forth to Joe – it all started one day last week when I was feeling nostalgic and I wanted to look up the store I worked in for a few years – it was called “Henry H. Taws” – I saw Joe’s article that he called “Henry H Taws has left the Bldg.” I read it and was shocked to hear that they tore down the bldg where the store used to be! I felt compelled to write to your husband, Joe, and found out that he too used to work there, and that’s how he met you!! Such a cute story – that’s the way I met my husband, Jim, we worked together at Taws when we were 18 years old, now, we’ve been married for 55 years, we have that in common, but we’re a whole lot older than you and Joe!
Sorry – I was originally writing to tell you that you brought up a memory from the 1950’s & 60’s about Westinghouse! Television commercials back then were soooo corny and the Westinghouse one was not meant to be funny, but it was when I look at it now, it is corny as hell, but it also effective – here it is, 55 years later, and I can still picture their TV commercial in my head! A movie star named “Betty Furness” was in their commercials and always finished each commercial by saying: “You can be sure if it’s Westinghouse”! I just brought the old commercial up on You Tube, and it’s exactly like I remember! I don’t think I own anything made by them now.
Thanks for allowing me to comment – sorry for being a bore!
Hi Marylou,
Joe has been keeping me updated on your correspondence – it’s nice to connect with people and learn a little more about the history of a place you worked at.
Growing up, we had an old Westinghouse fridge – that thing was a workhorse. Today, you’re lucky if you get 5 years out of an appliance. The only downside is defrosting those bad boys! Thank you for your memories, and for commenting – we really appreciate it.
Love this…I have an oval yellow dish and always thought it was a butter dish…wonder when they originally came with the refrigerator