Turquoise Diamonds: Dainty Maid 2 1/2 Qt. Casserole with Serving Stand

For many years, the exact date of production and distribution method for the Turquoise Diamonds 403 mixing bowl with stand have been unknown. The bowl typically does not contain a back stamp, but the distinctive size and style are unmistakably Pyrex. Based on the color of the turquoise diamond design and cradle style, the dish was presumed to be from the late 1950s.

Recently an eBay seller discovered a new casserole with its original box in northeast Wisconsin that now answers many questions about the item.

Photo courtesy of eBay seller steinboy1956.

Photo courtesy of eBay seller steinboy1956.

The box reveals that the item was marketed under the "Dainty Maid" brand. This brand was offered exclusively through the Supplee, Biddle, and Steltz Company, which operated out of Philadelphia. In 1956, the company was ranked as the largest hardware store supplier in the U.S. The company's hardware catalogs contained over 35,000 items.

The company operated under the name Supplee, Biddle, and Steltz from 1949 through 1960. ​In 1953, the company registered the trademark for the "Dainty Maid" brand to market their housewares and glass products (trademark registration 0593852).  ​

This new information provides the official name for the casserole as "Oven-Proof Covered 2 1/2 Qt. Casserole with Serving Stand." It also confirms the validity of the date estimate given in Pyrex Passion as ca 1958-1959.