Quick answer: Vintage Pyrex casserole dishes are among the rarest and most valuable Pyrex items you can buy, or sell. Prices go up if the dishes come with a lid or cradle. The Pyrex Blue Corn Flower casserole dish from the 1960s is among the rarest, and because of that can be sold for up to 10,500 USD. Other vintage Pyrex dishes and cookware are sold in the range of several hundreds of dollars, up to several thousands of dollars, depending on the dish color, pattern, and year of making. The origin of the cookware also affects the price, since some Pyrex editions were made in Australia, the UK, as well as Canada.
Did you know that approximately 80% of households in the US own a Pyrex dish? Yes, these are the official numbers, according to Food & Wine. And, while the marketplace and demand for Pyrex remained pretty much the same for the last decade, with the rise of TikTok, as well as the rise of cooking-related channels and content, Pyrex seems to be cool again; some describe it as the IT cookware for the modern person, and an indispensable piece for those following a mid-century modern style (also referred to as mid-mod).
However, even before TikTok ‘made’ it cool again, Pyrex collecting was already a thing. Pyrex glass dishes and bowls became rather sought-after pieces, especially the old-school editions. At one point, people started selling their Pyrex dishes for hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Despite the modern generation turning away from the traditional ‘boomer’ values, it seems that everybody, unanimously, gave Pyrex a ‘go’, skyrocketing sales and making it one of the most expensive and sought-after cooking tools on the market.
If you’re also a part of this Pyrex craze and would like to own a Pyrex glass dish or a bowl of your own, don’t worry. In the following paragraphs, we’ll talk about vintage Pyrex, its value, rarity, and of course, where to buy all of these super fun Pyrex dishes and bowls. So, without further ado, let’s jump right in!
Buying Pyrex 101
A Brief History
Looking back only 100 years ago, heatproof glass wasn’t a thing, especially in the kitchen. Sure, women whose main occupations were cooking and being stay-at-home moms, realized the need for such kitchen tools.
In 1913, a woman named Bessie Littleton (who was married to Jesse Littleton, a Corning Glass Works company scientist), decided to make heatproof glass kitchen tools a thing. Luckily, her husband was already on the right track, as he came up with borosilicate glass named Nonex; glass that was able to withstand heat and cold, used in battery jars and railroad lanterns.
By joining their forces, Bessie and her husband Jesse came up with a glass baking dish that won’t crack in the hot oven. This sent Jesse’s company, Corning, into starting developing cookware. By 1915, the company launched its first Pyrex line of pie plates and loaf pans. Fast forward, 10 years later, the company released its iconic measuring cup. Only in the 1940s did the company add the iconic red measurements, and redesigned the cup into what we nowadays refer to as the Pyrex cup.
And, the rest is history; since the 1940s, Pyrex became a kitchen staple across the country and has remained so to this day.
Note: Because the Corning Glass company usually named its products by adding the ‘x’ to the name, they decided to combine the word ‘pie’ with the ‘x’ sound, landing the Pyrex name for their new products.
Most Valuable and Rare Vintage Pyrex Items
Since it became a national treasure, the Corning Glass company came up with different Pyrex cookware and kitchen tools. They sell everything, from measuring cups, and heatproof pans, to plates and dinnerware, mini-creamers, casserole sets, mixing bowls, and so much more. Some of the products are being made to this day, but the majority are deemed to be vintage pieces as they were discontinued from production.
Some of the cookware and dishes also feature discontinued patterns and shapes, which is what nowadays makes them extremely sought-after, rare, and super expensive. Some Etsy sellers, for example, sell vintage, colored Pyrex bowls for thousands of dollars, and such pricing is quickly becoming a trend for other online sellers.
So, to make your search for the perfect Pyrex bowl or dish a bit easier, we’ve decided to check out the current marketplace and list out the currently rarest, most valuable Pyrex cookware available;
- Oh My Stars Gold Constellation 474 MCM Starburst Grail with lid – this is currently one of the most expensive, rare, and most sought-after Pyrex dishes. The Constellation Pyrex dishes were a part of the 1950s collection, which makes them retro and vintage pieces. One such dish was sold for around 5000 USD only a few years ago; nowadays it is priced even higher. If you’re looking for a similar dish from the same collection, but don’t want to pay thousands of dollars, make sure to check out the Pyrex Constellation dishes on Etsy. Our top choice from this collection is the Pyrex Constellation Divided Dish (currently sold for 100 USD).
- Pyrex Space Saver 575 Opal Casserole Dish Blue Clouds & Starts with lid – another super rare and incredibly sought-after Pyrex dish is the casserole Blue Cloud dish. We’ve managed to find one online listing for this dish, where it was sold for 4,300 USD only 2 years ago. Current market demand has raised this price for at least another thousand, so if you do come across this casserole dish, make sure to really consider buying it, as the price only seems to go higher over time.
- Corning Ware Blue Corn Flower Casserole Dish with lid – this dish is made by the Pyrex parent company in the 1960s, and it is incredibly rare. The entire Blue Corn Flower collection is currently sought-after and in great demand, which pretty much dictates the prices into 5 digits. We’ve managed to find some vintage examples on Etsy, for example, where the current price is 10,500 USD. This dish is simply more than just cookware; it is a piece of history and an ode to the older, simpler times; a piece truly worth having.
- Pyrex Pink Scroll Casserole Baking Dish 575-B with lid and cradle – another super rare and highly valuable Pyrex vintage piece is the pink casserole/baking dish. It was made in 1958 and belongs to the Space Saver product line/collection. Because of its unique pastel pink color, as well as the fact that it is a covered dish with a respective cradle, the prices for this piece have skyrocketed. Luckily, it is currently priced at 350 USD, but the high demand might increase this price by another several hundred dollars. So, if you come across one such dish at the average price, do not hesitate to invest.
- Pyrex Amish Butterprint Cinderella Mixing Nesting Bowls – these vintage Pyrex Cinderella mixing bowls are some of the rarest and most sought-after Pyrex bowls nowadays. That is mostly because of the vintage pattern and the pastel blue color of the bowls, but also because of the fact that they were made in 1957. They are incredibly cute and pretty sturdy, despite being made from glass. Most often these are sold under ‘used’ condition, and even then manage to reach the price of 250 USD. Those intact and in mint condition are being sold for up to 450 USD.
Factors That Determine Vintage Pyrex Value
Now that we’ve looked at some of the vintage Pyrex dishes and cookware value/prices, you must be wondering why are these items so expensive. Well, there are several factors that dictate and help set the price for vintage Pyrex pieces. Sure, you can find vintage Pyrex dishes, plates, or cups for up to 10 USD, but we’re now talking about those highly-valued, rare, unique pieces.
- Colors and patterns – from 1945 to 1986, the Pyrex company produced dozens of different sets and editions of the Pyrex cookware. Each set and edition was characterized by one specific color or pattern, and specific for the years in which it was made and sold. Thanks to these colors and patterns, collectors can determine the rarity as well as the value of the dish when sold nowadays. The older the edition, and the rarer the color/pattern, the higher the price of the dish. Make sure to check all of the Pyrex editions, patterns, and colors in the Pyrex Potluck Pattern Library.
- Condition – this one goes without saying, but it is important to mention that the condition of a piece heavily affects its price and value. If a Pyrex dish is a vintage piece in mint condition, it can be sold for hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Scratches, discoloration, or any damage to a dish (even if it came to by from use), significantly lowers the value and the price.
- Reusability and practicality – people are generally looking to buy vintage Pyrex pieces not only because it is ‘hip and cool’ to own a vintage Pyrex, but also because they want to use it. The reusability and practicality of a piece make it even more sought-after. Moreover, some older, vintage pieces don’t have measurements on them or have flaws in terms of gripping, pouring, etc. These are not people’s favorites, and therefore, aren’t really sought after despite being vintage and rare.
- Origin – not all of the Pyrex items are made in the USA. Some vintage pieces were made in England, Canada, as well as Australia. Depending on the origin, the Pyrex vintage cookware can be appraised and valued differently. Some Pyrex dishes are even more expensive than those made in the USA. For example, this Pyrex Rare HTF Promotional Casserole Dish was made in Australia and is currently sold for around 20,000 USD.
Note: Not all of the Pyrex items sold online are genuine. Make sure to check the pattern and color history of the Pyrex items, as well as the way they were made. Up until the 1960s, for example, the Pyrex mixing bowls were made from thicker glass, while those made after were significantly thinner. Also, truly vintage Pyrex items made from clear glass still have a yellowish hue (arsenic was used to help shape the glass, until 1936).
Where to Buy Vintage Pyrex Products?
Hunting for vintage Pyrex dishes can be pretty difficult, especially if you’re just starting out. Luckily, we’ve explored and checked out the best places where you can buy genuine, mint-condition Pyrex dishes right now.
Our favorite place to explore and shop for Pyrex dishes is definitely Etsy. This online flea market makes it super easy to search, compare, and communicate with the seller (if you want to negotiate the price, for example). Our favorite Etsy stores that sell vintage Pyrex include OverTheYearsFinds, SnowyCreekDesigns, PyrexKitchen, and PyrexPotpourri. Here, you can find vintage Pyrex items and dishes, but also other vintage pieces that may be a great addition to your kitchen and home.
Ruby Lane is also an excellent online marketplace for everything vintage and antique, including Pyrex items. The prices are reasonable, and you can find some really awesome and rare vintage items.
We also recommend you check out Mavin; an online marketplace that draws the items you’re looking for from other antique/vintage websites and online flea shops and creates a compelling list you can easily go through and compare prices. It is also pretty useful because you can also take a look at the sold items and note the differences in past prices, versus the current ones. It allows you to choose the items that are within your budget, and you can also avoid being overcharged or scammed.
You can also check out online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon, but you’re more likely to find current and modern Pyrex items rather than vintage pieces; between these two, we would definitely recommend you check out eBay if you’re looking for vintage and antique Pyrex items.
You can also buy vintage Pyrex items on online marketplaces like Beckalar, Mercari, or even the Facebook Marketplace for local sales and flea markets. Sure enough, if buying online isn’t really your cup of tea, we recommend you check your local flea markets, antique shops, and even second-hand homeware stores.
Final Thoughts
If you’re new to the Pyrex craze, do not get discouraged if it’s hard to find and buy that one special piece you’re looking for. Make sure to stay up to date with the online marketplaces, regularly check out your local flea markets and second-hand homeware shops, and we’re sure you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Now, when it comes to prices, bear in mind that the rarer a piece is, the more you might have to pay for it; that’s just the way the marketplace operates. Luckily, you can find vintage Pyrex pieces for lower prices, but they might not be those rare ones everybody’s in craze about. Whatever you decided to buy and look for, we wish you all the luck, and make sure to also have fun in the process!
