Just like Nonna used to make ... except way, way more expensive: Turns out, the vintage milky glass Pyrex and Corningware dishes that mothers and grandmothers everywhere used to carry casseroles to family dinners are now worth thousands of dollars on the open market.
A scan of eBay and Etsy turns up items like a cornflower blue covered dish listed at a whopping $23,000. The description says it's a "must-have for any collector or fan of vintage kitchenware. With its beautiful blue and white pattern and 9 inch size, it's perfect for cooking and serving your favorite dishes. The dish comes with a lid, making it ideal for storing leftovers or taking your food to potlucks and events.
While it's hard to know how much cash the listings will actually fetch, Taste of Home notes that rare patterns and colors have sold for up to $10,000, adding, "More common pieces don’t come close to those numbers but are still coveted for their extreme durability. Although every dish made before 1999 is considered vintage, older pieces (from the 1970s and earlier) are the most valuable."
Why are they in such hot demand? "Made from a combination of glass and ceramic materials, this casserole dish is both sturdy and stylish. It was originally manufactured in the 1960s and is a vintage original. The dish is in great shape and has been well-preserved over the years. Don't miss out on the opportunity to add this gorgeous Corning Ware Blue Cornflower casserole to your collection today," the description adds.
A smaller casserole dish in the same pattern is priced at $11,000. Another one on Etsy, in a more 1970s orange and brown pattern from Corningware, is priced at $14,000 and it's in eight people's carts. The description says, "The iconic decoration on the side features fruits and veggies, including garlic, green peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, and artichokes on a field of herbs."
So, why are people willing to part with their hard-earned dollars for a taste of the past?
"In our house, Pyrex was more than cookware; it was practically part of the family," Bella Bucchiotti, a food and lifestyle blogger and vlogger, told the Associated Press. "My mom's thrifted treasures, especially her prized Snowflake Blue casserole dish, always showed up at birthdays and holidays, each with its own backstory, and those colorful dishes still remind me of the laughter around the table."
But value is in the eye of the beholder. One reddit user asked the same question about why people are willing to pay big bucks for used dishes and this was one of the answers, "I love using the corning ware pieces for baking anything....easy clean up and seems to bake even thru out the whole casserole. Very durable and last forever. I have collected a lot of the different vintage designs and some special pieces made for employees of corning ware. I only pay a few dollars for each piece. (not special pieces). With the exception of the special pieces I purchased mine at thrift stores/auctions. Few years ago you could get a $1 box at auctions and it would have several pieces or more of corning ware and pieces of pyrex before it became so expensive."
Some attributed to the trend to the boho designs that have taken over social media and home decor. "There is something about the country cottage design that I find lovely and nostalgic. If mine break, I’m willing to buy more from their online store if that’s what it takes for me to not go without my favorite dishes," another Reddit user wrote.
However, note to buyers: Potato chip-crusted tuna casseroles are not included with the sale price.