People love vintage Pyrex for many reasons, and some even have fond memories of playing with these items as children or helping their parents to bake. Others like to save Pyrex items and form a collection over the years.
Thrift stores and yard sales are familiar places where you can find these old treasures. People who love to pick up vintage Pyrex may be interested in learning how to tell the value of their pieces.
You’d be surprised at what you can find in peoples’ kitchens! Many people still use vintage Pyrex casserole dishes. If you’re interested in collecting vintage Pyrex, you may want to start looking over the possessions of elderly relativesor checking out second hand stores or yard sales.
In this article, we’ll examine the most valuable vintage Pyrex. This article also guides you on identifying vintage Pyrex and determining its actual value.
The Top 3 Most Valuable and Rare Vintage Pyrex: Quick Summary
Three models stood out during our review of the most valuable vintage Pyrex. We made our selection based on the Pyrex that has the highest value and greatest rarity.
- Lucky in Love Vintage Casserole (The Most Valuable Vintage Pyrex)
This vintage casserole was recently auctioned in 2017 for a whopping $5,994 at Goodwill of Western New York’s auction site. It was a promotional piece with a beautiful rare Pyrex pattern featuring a mix of pink and green hearts.
- 1961 Promo Gourmet Gold Casserole (The Most Valuable Gourmet Vintage Pyrex)
Here’s another incredibly rare piece — the 1961 Gourmet Gold Casserole was a promotional piece and one with incredible value. This piece has sold for up to $2,000. It holds incredible value with its unique design and will easily find a place in your home as a decorative piece.
- Avocado Spring Blossom Crazy Daisy Casserole (The Most Valuable Daisy Vintage Pyrex)
This casserole dish has been a collector’s item for quite some time. It has gone for up to $1,600 at online auctions. Its avocado green tones are attractive, and you’ll certainly appreciate this 70s Pyrex design.
10 Most Expensive and Rare Vintage Pyrex
Many kitchen items have caught the eyes of collectors, and those made from Pyrex are popular. There are extremely rare pieces that have surfaced in recent times. Due to its rarity, Pyrex kitchenware holds great value.
So, if you have a rare vintage pyrex, it could be worth a lot of money. We’ll examine the most expensive and rarest vintage Pyrex to give you an idea of their worth.
1. Lucky in Love Vintage Casserole
- Pyrex Pattern: Lucky in Love
- Year: 1959
- Price: $5,994
This is one of the highest-priced pyrex kitchenware today — it was auctioned last at $5,994 in 2017.
The Lucky in Love Pyrex has a design that features blades of grass, pink hearts, and green shamrocks. This outstanding casserole dish also features a lid that fits perfectly, as well as a deepened bowl.
The Lucky in Love Pyrex goes as far back as 1959; it was intended to be a test pattern by the Charleroi Corning Plant. Even after its design became the gold standard for casserole dishes, it still wasn’t mass-produced — today, there are only a few samples of this Pyrex. Despite employees hoarding some, the Corning Museum of Glass still has it on display.
2. 1961 Promo Gourmet Gold Casserole
- Pyrex Pattern: Gourmet
- Year: 1961
- Price: $2,000
Here’s another rare vintage pyrex — a 1961 special promo piece. Due to its rarity, many collectors are willing to pay more for it. The Gourmet Pyrex was a product of Corning Glass in the 60s of three types with similar patterns.
The Gourmet Gold Casserole dish has a design of gold stems and leaves on its exterior. Unlike the usual casserole dishes, it’s deeper.
This Pyrex was sold recently at an auction at $2,000. It’s rare because it was only available between late 1961 and early 1962. The piece sold at $2,000 wasn’t even in the best condition as it showed signs of wear.
3. Avocado Spring Blossom Crazy Daisy Casserole
- Pyrex Pattern: Daisy
- Year: 1972-79
- Price: $1,640
This pyrex casserole was quite popular between 1972 to 1979. Today, it’s one of the most valuable vintage pyrex among collectors. In an online auction, this piece sold for an impressive $1,640 in 2023.
The Avocado Spring Blossom Crazy Daisy pattern is exceptionally beautiful with a cartoonish flower pattern on its exterior. As if that isn’t enough, the oval-shaped dish also has a matching glass lid.
4. Coral Red Gooseberry Cinderella Bowl Set
- Pyrex Pattern: Gooseberry
- Year: 1950s
- Price: $1,450
You’ll love the Gooseberry Cinderella Bowl Set from the moment you set your eyes on it. It’s no wonder collectors can’t resist this beautiful Pyrex introduced in the 50s. If you have this kitchenware lying around in your home, you can make over a thousand dollars from it.
This pattern has a bright red and white color combo. The Cinderella bowls came in a set of four and were designed by John Phillip Johnson. They were intended for a retro style kitchen.
This design was auctioned recently for $1,450 in 2023, even with a few scratches. You’ll often find this set missing two bowls as it’s hard to keep the complete set intact. This is partly because the Gooseberry products were discontinued in 1966.
5. Atomic Eyes Chip and Dip Bowl Set
- Pyrex Pattern: Eyes
- Year: 1953-1983
- Price: $1,440
The Atomic Eyes Chip and Dip Bowl Set is another incredible collector find. This unique Pyrex is worth over a thousand dollars if you’re lucky enough to have it. The bowls come in a white and blue design which looks like eyes, and this rare pattern was auctioned at $1,440 in 2023.
Corning Glass introduced the atomic eye Pyrex in 1953, and the company continued making gift sets through to 1983. There were different patterns of the eye Pyrex gift set. To be precise, Corning created almost 135 patterns, but collectors gave them alternative names to identify them more easily over time.
6. Terra 402 Yellow Stripe Mixing Bowl
- Pyrex Pattern: Terra
- Year: 1964–1965
- Price: $1,300
This Yellow Stripe bowl is another collector’s item that presents a beautiful design that’s impossible to ignore. The terra pattern is quite simple but sophisticated. It has stripes of lighter and darker shades of yellow.
Designed by William Curtis, the Terra pattern was popular between 1964 to 1965. However, the design was discontinued after one year because of the high cost of production. Fast-forward to an online auction in 2023, this rare Pyrex sold for a record price of around $1,300, even though the seller had only three bowls out of the set of four.
7. Turquoise Snowflake Round Cake Pan
- Pyrex Pattern: Snowflake
- Year: 1956-1967
- Price: $1,300
Featuring beautiful white snowflakes on a turquoise background, this round cake pan is a popular vintage collection piece that stands out during the festive season. However, its rarity has made it a popular collector’s item. The model sold for a whopping $1,300 at an online auction in good condition. It had no scratches, chips, or even cracks except for a faint discoloration on one of the handles.
The snowflake design was first released in 1956 in the Opal Pyrex line. It was later discontinued in 1967. Still, the turquoise design was the longest-running pattern.
While it’s still possible to find the earliest designs of the snowflake pattern, they’re extremely rare. One large snowflake dish in good condition is currently listed on eBay for $599.99.
8. Turquoise Hostess Bowl and Lid
- Pyrex Pattern: Snowflake
- Year: 1949-1959
- Price: $910
Designed by Corning Glass for serving guests at parties, the Hostess Bowl is a rare find for collectors making it highly valuable. Most of its popular designs came in either yellow or red which makes the turquoise set rare in comparison.
Pyrex also made the turquoise bowls in chip and dip sets. Although they’re much lighter in weight than the Hostess Bowl, you’ll appreciate their deep turquoise color and its glossy shine.
The Hostess Bowl was popular between 1949 to 1959. It sold recently at an online auction for $910, even with a few scratches on the lid and bowl.
9. Orange Butterprint Cinderella Bowls
- Pyrex Pattern: Butterprint
- Year: 1957–1968
- Price: $820
This butterprint design comes in an orange and white pattern. You can identify it by the farming couple and wheat images on the exterior.
At an auction, this bowl sold for $820 even though it came without lids and had a few scratches. The design was one of the early prints of the Opalware Pyrex style.
Butterprint was released in 1957, and the orange on a white background was a promotional set. The company made them between the late 50s to early 60s and later replaced them with other designs. Eventually, the Butterprint design was discontinued in 1968.
10. Pink Stripe Mixing Bowls
- Pyrex Pattern: Terra
- Year: 1960s
- Price: $800
These Pink Stripe Mixing Bowls are another one of the Terra patterns. These bowls present as a set of three with white and sweet pink stripes. Like the yellow stripe terra bowl, this design was popular in the 60s.
A collection of three was recently sold at an auction in good condition in 2023 for $800. Even though there were scratches on the bowls, none had chip marks or cracks.
Generally, the Stripes Mixing Bowls series are valuable sets. You’ll typically see about 5 to 6 stripe lines on the sides of the bowl.
Vintage Pyrex Guide: Significance, Identification, Types & Pricing
What Is Pyrex Made Of, And Why Do People Collect It?
Pyrex ovenware was initially made from borosilicate glass. Although it’s still classed as glassware, the sort of glass used in making them has evolved throughout time. Even if you’re not an expert, you can still identify Pyrex borosilicate by its color, date stamp, etc. However, your best bet will be getting an expert opinion.
Although Pyrex manufacturers discontinued borosilicate glass in the 80s, it was common cookware for people from 1936 when it first surfaced. During World War II, a soda-lime combination and other glass materials replaced borosilicate glass. The aluminosilicate was used in Flameware, which was also common at the time.
Not everyone was ready to switch from borosilicate to soda-lime silicate glass in the 90s because it wasn’t as heat-resistant as borosilicate glass. There were many reasons why Pyrex lovers stuck to the vintage ware. Here are some of them:
- Durability
The fact that Vintage Pyrex has been around for a long time indicates that it’s stood the test of time. However, there’s a significant difference between vintage and new Pyrex glass material.
Borosilicate will always take the lead over soda-lime glass because of its durability (it’s shatterproof). Most people believe the borosilicate glass material is a better option than the plastic Tupperware popular today.
- Sentimental Value
The sentimental significance of vintage Pyrex makes it difficult for the original owners to part with it. Many people are willing to spend a lot of money to get these vintage pieces back because of the happy memories it incites in them.
How Do I Identify Vintage Pyrex?
Telling if Pyrex is vintage may be difficult for many, especially if you don’t have an idea of what they should look like at a glance. The most reliable ways to identify real vintage Pyrex are via:
- Colors
- Markings and Stamps
- Professional Consultation
- Identifying Vintage Pyrex Using Colors
The initial set of Pyrex glassware made by Corning Glass was transparent. However, it wasn’t until the mid-1940s that colorful and patterned bowls and casserole plates made it to the market.
Most people prefer colored glassware and will preferentially go for pastel shades of blues, pinks, greens, and other hues. However, most vintage wares had primary colors and earth tones.
If you want to know the colors common in vintage Pyrex, check out the Pyrex Pattern Library at the Corning Museum of Glass and the Pyrex Pattern Reference at Pyrex Passion. Here, you’ll find an accurate timeline showing the colors and patterns made, including the year they were introduced. For instance, primary colors were popular between the years 1945 to 1950.
- Identifying Vintage Pyrex Using Markings and Stamps
To identify vintage Pyrex, you’ll need to check other things apart from the color and patterns. One thing you should look out for is a brand logo.
For instance, Corning Glass dishes have their logo printed as “PYREX,” all in capital letters inside a circle. You’ll generally find it on the bottom of Pyrex glassware.
Older pieces will have stamps showing a man blowing glass. You’ll also see the mark “Made in the U.S.A” written in capital letters and a trademark symbol or trademark phrase. The year of manufacture may also be printed on it.
Moving on to the 60s, this glassware took on a different stamp. Brands no longer used the circle format but introduced straight-line stamps. Vintage Pyrex of the 60s has an inventory number on the bottom stamp of casserole plates and bowls. Also, if you see an item with instructions like “no broiling,” this implies that its year of manufacture was after 1970.
You shouldn’t rely on the stamp alone because some old pieces may not even have a stamp, especially the colored ones. This may be because the logo has faded through use.
- Ask a Professional?
An antique appraiser or expert can help you determine whether or not your piece of Pyrex is vintage.
There are antique shops that sell vintage Pyrex. Most of them have professionals that can help you determine the value of your antique Pyrex but this service is likely to incur a cost. You could also ask older family members or friends whether they recollect the details of the piece.
What Are the Vintage Pyrex Patterns?
Most lovers of vintage Pyrex will usually opt for colorful designs or patterns. If you’ve thought about getting vintage Pyrex, here are some patterns to look out for.
- Butterprint
The Butterprint pattern was first introduced in 1957 and came in a unique design. On this glassware, you’ll find a pattern of an Amish farm couple standing around with roosters, wheat, and corn stalks.
Although it’s commonly known as Buttercup, there are some other names for this design. This pattern’s most prevalent color combination is turquoise blue and white.
- Gooseberry
The Gooseberry design made its first entry into the public in 1957. It had black/white and black/yellow as the only color schemes. The black/yellow pattern was later dropped in 1962, while a new pink-on-white pattern resurfaced a decade later.
Another name for the vintage Gooseberry is Onion Berries. It also has other variants like Grape Leaves, Berries, Leaves, and Acorn.
- Rainbow Striped(s)
As of 1965, the only patterns available for these antique Pyrex mixing bowls were in the colors yellow, sandalwood, blue and pink. The four hues available in this design were known as the Rainbow Stripe. Also known as alternating lines or striped lines, it became commercially available around 1968.
- New Dot
The Dot line of bowls was first seen in 1968. It has the familiar lively and bold theme common with today’s Pyrex designs. It’s called the New Dot because of the introduction of the “new” green dot color.
This vintage Pyrex has different variants like the Orange Dot, Yellow Dot, Green Dot, and Blue Dot. The New Dot Pyrex was popular in the market from 1972.
- Terra
Terra is a unique design for Pyrex. It was initially made part of the company’s catalog in 1964.
Terra wares usually have a peculiar matte finish, and it’s common to find them in brown color. They were pretty popular during their time, but this pattern was later discontinued in 1965. However, there was an attempt to make a brighter-colored sample.
- Snowflakes
Snowflakes were introduced in 1956 and had three color combinations — white/turquoise, turquoise/opal, and white/charcoal. Some patterns were discontinued between 1960 and 1963; only the white/turquoise color combo remained until 1967.
- Snowflake Blue
Snowflake Blue was first made in 1972; however, it was a limited edition as it was discontinued in 1979. There are just two options — a mix of blue and white patterns. The color schemes alternated with solid components and were available in dish sets. The Snowflake Blue was also termed Winter or Snowflake Garland.
- Daisy
Daisy first became available to the public in the early months of 1968. This piece was in a design of orange and yellow solid color patterns. Originally sold in sets, you’ll find it mainly in either clear or white casserole lids. The design had an orange and yellow daisy print. In 1972, the Daisy pattern was discontinued.
- Balloons
This design was commercially available in the spring of 1958. When advertised, it was referred to as “White on Turquoise” on the box. It has a stylized hot-air balloon design and a combination of some heavenly objects. When you compare the Balloons with other chip and dip sets, the former stand out because of their appealing aquamarine color.
Also Read: How Much is an Aquamarine Worth?
- Eyes
Although previously termed “Hot n’ Cold Chip and Dip,” most Pyrex collectors refer to it as “Eyes.” This antique glassware can be traced to between 1958–1960. Some bowls in this style have no Pyrex stamp on the bottom, while others may have the usual brand marks.
How Much Is Vintage Pyrex Worth?
Corning Glass was one of the first brands to introduce Pyrex into the market over a century ago. Now, it’s become popular in most kitchens, with many brands making similar designs.
However, because there are both new and old Pyrex dishes, it’s difficult to tell which ones are vintage or modern. A closer look at your item will quickly reveal whether or not it’s vintage.
The rare patterns are usually hard to come by and sell at much higher prices. For instance, you can get antique Pyrex casserole dishes for around $55 on Etsy. On eBay, a set of three “Amish Butterprint” dishes usually sells for about $75.
Most people who collect these antique dishes are usually willing to pay up to $500 or more for the rainbow-striped Pyrex on eBay. One of the most expensive pieces ever sold, which was extremely rare, was the “Lucky in Love” casserole dish, bought at the Goodwill auction in 2017 for a whopping $5,994.
Where Can You Sell Your Vintage Pyrex?
If you’re really lucky, you may be able to get a high price for these rare items at an online auction sale, where collectors are usually searching. You could make thousands of dollars on a rare vintage Pyrex.
Also, you can sell any of your beautiful vintage Pyrex dishes or bowls at yard sales, flea markets, and on internet auction sites. For those that love mobile shopping, reliable websites for valuable and rare vintage Pyrex include Amazon, eBay, and Etsy.
If you’re familiar with these sites, selling your vintage Pyrex on any of them shouldn’t be an issue. Remember that people will pay more for these pieces if they’re in good condition. You can also check the value of your vintage pyrex by comparing it with what other sellers are offering; this way, you have an idea of your starting price for your listing.
FAQ
What is the most valuable vintage pyrex?
Auctioned for $5,994 in 2017, the Lucky in Love Vintage Casserole is the most expensive and valuable pyrex. The Pyrex bowl comes in a unique pattern that distinguishes it from other vintage bowls.
Are there antique yellow pyrex bowls?
Yes, the Daisy Pyrex bowls come in a shade of yellow and orange colors. Suppose you’re looking for an antique bowl with yellow color. In that case, you can get Daisy casserole bowls appearing in this attractive shade.
Where can I buy and sell antique pyrex bowls?
You can buy and even sell antique glassware at antique stores. You can also trade antique pyrex bowls over the internet at auction sites and online stores like eBay, Etsy, Amazon, etc. Lastly, you can get them at a reasonable price at garage sales or ask your older relatives for their antique Pyrex bowls.
Can I get antique pyrex baking dishes?
Of course, baking dishes made from old Pyrex glassware are being sold today. While they’re durable, they’re quite rare, but you should get them at a great price.
How can I identify antique Pyrex cookware?
You can identify antique Pyrex cookware from its design/pattern, colors, and brand logo. Some Pyrex cookware have their year of manufacture stamped on them. If the stamp or brand logo isn’t visible, a professional can help you identify your cookware.
How can I decipher antique pyrex bowls’ value?
Antique Pyrex is surprisingly expensive today because there’s a lot of demand. The value, however, depends on the condition of the bowl, its year of manufacture, and its rareness. If the Pyrex bowl’s design is extremely rare, it’s likely to cost a fortune — an antique pyrex can go for as low as $100 to over $5,000.
