Vintage Pyrex dishes have become highly sought-after collectibles. The brand, which first introduced its iconic borosilicate dishes in 1915, has gained a loyal following of collectors who love the seamless blend of everyday functionality and vintage charm. While most people picture colorful bakeware and patterned nesting bowls when they think of Pyrex, the brand's first collection, which debuted during World War I, actually consisted of 12 bakeware designs—including a humble pie dish—all crafted from clear, heat-resistant borosilicate glass. It wasn't until several decades later that Pyrex began producing the now classic patterned dishware people rummage through thrift stores and antique shops to find.
As the owner of the vintage shop Urban Redeux in Alexandria, Virginia, Willow Wright has had tons of Pyrex pass through the doors—some that went to customers and other pieces that are now part of her personal collection. "Between the years of the mid-1940's to mid-1980's, Pyrex released more than 150 patterns, including customized and promotional sets. These are some of the most sought-after due to their limited production," Wright shares. If you are buying for a personal collection, she recommends starting with a pattern that speaks to you, but is also widely available. "I wouldn't aspire to collect Lucky In Love—the last piece that sold on eBay went for more than $9,000!" Wright says.
If you don't need pieces to match and are just looking to add to your personal Pyrex collection, the vintage shop owner suggests you start by scouring thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales, and online marketplaces where you can find all kinds of Pyrex in various patterns and condition. For a more targeted search for specific pieces, you can do a little more research. "There are many online catalogs of the patterns that list their release date and official pattern names, which might help to narrow it down," Wright explains.
While some Pyrex pieces—such as Lucky In Love—fetch higher value than others, there's another factor Wright says matters when it comes to pricing: condition. "This colored glass was never meant to withstand dishwashing, which can damage or remove patterns completely," she says. And while faded pieces are still fully functional and will cost considerably less, Wright says the fact is they won't be suitable for displaying and certainly won't hold as high of a resale value. If you're wondering about the top vintage Pyrex pieces worth buying, here's what Wright suggests.
Pink Gooseberry
Pink Gooseberry pieces are among the most highly sought-after vintage Pyrex pieces. The collection was first introduced in 1957 and features a charming pink and white gooseberry design. It was around the same time that Pyrex came out with its iconic Cinderella mixing bowls, which had a built-in spout on one side and a handle on the other. The gooseberry print was one of the first patterns to be featured on this new style of mixing bowls. Some specific pieces to look for are Pink Gooseberry bakeware such as casserole dishes and mixing bowls like the mentioned Cinderella bowl.
Typical price range: $200 for a single piece–$800 for a four-piece set
A Complete Set of Primary Color Nesting Bowls
Pyrex first started producing the four-piece set of Primary Color Nesting Bowls in the 1940's. Comprised of four solid colored bowls, the set surprisingly isn't adorned with any of the brand's nostalgic patterns. Instead, it includes a blue one-pint bowl, a red 1 1/4-quart bowl, a green 2 1/2-quart bowl, and a yellow four-quart bowl. The nesting bowls are hugely popular with collectors, with those in pristine, non-chipped condition garnering the highest prices.
Typical price range: $100 for a single bowl–$400 for a complete four-piece set
Turquoise Butterprint
First released in 1957, Pyrex's Butterprint (sometimes referred to as Amish Butterprint) was one of the first patterns to be printed on the brand's new opalware line which was made from durable milk-white glass. The iconic Butterprint depicts farm life imagery and comes in several color variations, including a popular white on turquoise version and a reverse turquoise on white version. Pyrex continued producing the pattern into the late 1960's, mainly on nesting mixing bowls, round Cinderella dishes, and refrigerator sets.
Typical price range: $90 for one piece–$400 for a four-piece set
Atomic Starburst
One of the most valuable vintage Pyrex pieces you can find is the Atomic Starburst casserole dish. Only manufactured for a year beginning in 1960, it was one of the brand's promotional pieces Wright shares are highly sought after due to their limited production. It was made in three different colors, but the most popular is the turquoise version featuring a gold atomic star. In its complete form, the two-quart midcentury modern casserole dish has a glass lid and a two-candle warmer stand.
Typical price range: $800–$1,500 for a lidded two-quart casserole dish
Maria Sabella is a lifestyle writer with a passion for home and interiors — from paint colors and holiday decor to the latest design trends. Her work has appeared in outlets including Better Homes & Gardens, The Spruce, BuzzFeed and Bustle.
