reSettling Life’s Treasures: Vintage Pyrex & CorningWare

As you browse online and through shop windows this holiday season, you may be trying to decide how to show your appreciation for those closest to you. Whether you’re attempting to find the perfect gift for your spouse or one for the friend who has everything, finding pieces from the heart is always a good idea. For the collector in your life, you may want to turn your attention to vintage Pyrex and CorningWare pieces, which can be primarily found in online auctions, estate sales, flea markets and eBay. Not only do these items hold their value, they’re also classic and functional to have in the kitchen. In our latest reSettling Life’s treasures segment, we’re talking about vintage Pyrex and CorningWare pieces, so that you know exactly what to look for if they’re on your gift list this year.

About Pyrex

Pyrex has been around a lot longer than you may realize, getting its start by Corning, Inc in the early 1900s. Made from borosilicate glass, a durable type of glass, more resistant to hot and cold temperatures, as well as breakage, buyers quickly realized that this type of glassware was perfect for the kitchen. As the years went on and the Pyrex brand grew, Corning, Inc created a separate brand for Pyrex to be marketed on its own, World Kitchen, LLC. Not only were there various products associated under the Pyrex brand, there were many diverse designs, which catapulted Pyrex to success.

How to Shop for Vintage Pyrex

With so many patterns and pieces available, how do you even know where to start? It helps to know about the patterns that are most popular. These include:

·         Bluebird Promotional Covered Casserole

·         Flamingo Pink Casserole Dish

·         Homestead Nesting Mixing Bowls

To determine whether a piece is vintage or not, pay attention to the stamp on the bottom of the piece. Typically, pieces from the 1940s and earlier will simply have the name PYREX stamped on the bottom. Newer pieces will have numbers along with the name.

About CorningWare

Emerging from a need for more functional pieces in the kitchen, these oven-to-table pieces were designed to save dinnertime. This glass ceramic cookware was resistant to extreme temperatures, and was also extremely durable, just like Pyrex, Corelle and other pieces included in the CorningWare umbrella. In 1958, the first Cornflower Blue – Petite Blue Posies on a solid white background debuted, and due to its rugged nature, it was able to cook on the stove top, then transition seamlessly to the dinner table without worry, making this brand a must in the kitchen, even to this day.

How to Shop for Vintage CorningWare

When shopping for the best vintage CorningWare patterns, keep these exceptionally popular designs in mind:

·         Cornflower Blue

·         Floral Bouquet

·         Country Festival

·         French White

These rare patterns are not only worth more, they’re highly sought-after. If you’re looking for the right gift to show someone special how much you care, or if you’re looking to add to your own collection, these pieces won’t disappoint.