Griswold cast iron skillet and matching self-basting cover with logo and embossed text.
via Canva

If you’ve ever wondered if that old mixer or those neat baking sheets that are tucked away somewhere in the farthest reaches of your kitchen are worth more than sentimental value, then you’ll likely find surprise to be had in just how valuable kitchen treasures can be. Seriously, some kitchen items are truly stowed away treasure items.

1. Cathrineholm Enamelware

Cathrineholm Enamelware
dahigglers/ebay

Cathrineholm enamelware is celebrated for its striking designs and high-quality craftsmanship, particularly known for the iconic lotus flower pattern. Produced in Norway from the 1950s to the 1970s, this enamel cookware features vibrant colors, most notably the signature green and white lotus motif on a glossy background, making it a sought-after collectible among vintage enthusiasts. 

2. Hobart KitchenAid Mixer

hobart kitchenaid mixer
n627690 / ebay

These are not the colorful stand mixers everyone goes gaga over nowadays. KitchenAid mixers have been around a lot longer than that, and the vintage models are much more expensive than the ones you see at department stores today.

Vintage Hobart KitchenAid mixers are perhaps the most highly collectible, cherished for their durability and retro charm. Made by Hobart from the 1930s through the 1980s, these mixers are often crafted from heavy-duty metal with a timeless design, and many are still in working order today.

3. KitchenAid Fire King Tulip Mixing Bowls

Three white cups with colorful tulip designs are displayed. Each cup features red, yellow, and orange tulips in blue pots, with green leaves. The pattern repeats around the cups, which are set against a plain background.
Hemenway House LLC Booksellers / ebay

The KitchenAid Fire-King Tulip Mixing Bowls from the 1950s were inspired by the classic Fire-King Tulip pattern from the mid-20th century. This limited-edition set features vibrant red tulips against a crisp white milk glass background. Designed to complement KitchenAid’s iconic stand mixers, these bowls were both beautiful and durable. 

4. Jadeite Dinnerware

jadeite dishes
The Thrifty Bee Hwy 24 / ebay

Jadeite dinnerware is a cherished collectible, beloved for its vibrant green hue and classic mid-century design. Originally produced by companies like McKee and Jeannette Glass from the 1940s to the 1960s, this glassware was often used in diners and homes, giving it a nostalgic appeal. Jadeite pieces, including plates, cups, and mixing bowls, are now coveted by collectors. 

5. Griswold Cast Iron Skillets

griswold cast iron skillet
Cast Iron Cookware Plus / eBay

Griswold cast iron skillets are iconic among vintage kitchenware collectors, celebrated for their smooth cooking surfaces and durable craftsmanship. Produced from the late 1800s to mid-1900s, Griswold skillets are known for their distinctive “ERIE” or “Griswold” logos and even heat distribution, with some rare early models featuring a collectible “spider” logo within a web.

Certain models, like the rare “No. 13” or early “ERIE” series, can go for thousands in good condition. The No. 8 skillet from the mid-20th century is also a popular collector’s item; it features a large Griswold logo.

6. Jeanette Delphite Blue Measuring Cups

Stacked blue plastic measuring cups on a beige fabric surface.
Atlas and the butcher / ebay

Known for their stunning opaque blue hue, these Jeanette measuring cups exude a timeless charm. Produced by Jeannette Glass in the 1930s and ‘40s, these Depression-era measuring cups were made from Delphite, a type of milk glass with a soft, powdery blue color. Durable yet delicate in appearance, they were both practical and stylish additions to kitchens of the past. 

7. Le Creuset Limited Edition Doraemon Cocette

A yellow Le Creuset pot with a flower design sits on an orange Le Creuset box. It has a cream lid with a gold handle and blue stripe. The pot is against a light textured background.
Fujimart-Japan / ebay

This special release celebrates Doraemon, the iconic blue robotic cat, with Le Creuset’s signature enameled cast iron craftsmanship. Designed for both function and nostalgia, this limited-edition piece blends French culinary tradition with Japanese pop culture, making it one of the most rare and unique Le Creuset dishes.

8. Victorian Sterling Silver Tea Sets

sterling silver tea set
AC Silver Antiques / ebay

Victorian sterling silver tea sets are prized for their intricate craftsmanship, historical charm, and obvious value. Crafted between the mid-1800s and early 1900s, these sets often feature ornate floral engravings, incredible detailing, and elegant shapes characteristic of Victorian design. Silver tea sets from this period typically include a teapot, sugar bowl, creamer, and sometimes additional pieces like a waste bowl or tray, adding to their value and appeal. 

9. Pyrex Starburst Baking Dishes

starburst pyrex
pharmdmcp18 / ebay

Pyrex is a household name when it comes to vintage kitchenware, and the most coveted versions are the limited edition patterns, which are typically harder to find. One of the most sought-after is the Starburst Pyrex dishes, known for their iconic mid-century design featuring bold, atomic starburst patterns on turquoise or white glass.

Produced in the 1950s and 1960s, these dishes embody the retro aesthetic of the era, making them highly sought after by vintage kitchenware enthusiasts. The rarity of pieces like the Starburst casserole or large baking dishes adds to their value, with pristine examples fetching several hundred dollars. Their vibrant design and durable Pyrex construction make these dishes treasured items for both display and occasional use.

10. Volcanic Flame Le Creuset Orange Red Skillet

Le Creuset Orange Red Skillet
Make Happy Time / ebay

Volcanic Flame Le Creuset skillets are highly sought after for their vibrant color and exceptional quality. Produced in the mid-20th century, these enameled cast iron skillets showcase the brand’s signature craftsmanship, combining functionality with vibrant color. The bold orange-red hue, known as Volcanic Flame, is a fan-favorite color. Collectors value these skillets for their rarity, as specific models and sizes can be hard to find. 

11. Blue Cornflower Corning Ware Sets

blue cornflower corning ware set
fiorejs / ebay

Corning Ware’s Blue Cornflower sets are beloved classics in the vintage kitchenware world, coveted for their durability and iconic design. Produced from the late 1950s through the 1980s, these dishes feature a simple yet elegant blue cornflower motif on white glass, whichs made them highly collectible. Known for being both oven-safe and dishwasher-safe, these versatile dishes were a staple in mid-century American kitchens.

Today, complete sets or rare items like percolators and large roasters can command high prices among collectors.

12. McKee Custard Glass Shakers

mckee glass shakers
greengoddess_vintage/ebay

With their unique creamy yellow color and charming appeal, McKee custard glass shakers are a vintage kitchenware favorite. Produced in the mid-20th century, these shakers were often part of diner-style table settings. The set typically includes salt and pepper shakers with a sugar shaker, often adorned with playful designs, raised patterns, or dainty labels.

13. Pyrex Refrigerator Dishes

Stacked vintage Pyrex dishes with clear lids, featuring a brown ivy leaf pattern, are placed on a dark tabletop. A brown couch is visible in the background.
eBay

Pyrex refrigerator dishes are classic kitchen staples, valued for their practicality and timeless design. Produced from the 1940s through the 1980s, these glass containers are known for their durability and ability to withstand temperature changes, making them perfect for storing leftovers. Not to mention, the beautiful colors and patterns collectors adore.

14. Russel Wright American Modern Dinnerware

russel wright dinnerware
aj20thcenturydesigns/ebay

Known for its organic shapes and vibrant colors, Russel Wright American Modern dinnerware is a mid-century modern staple. Produced by the Steubenville Pottery Company from the 1930s to the 1960s, this dinnerware was designed to promote casual dining with pieces like plates, bowls, and serving dishes. The soft, rounded forms and glossy glazes of the American Modern collection — along with its striking colors such as chartreuse, turquoise, and persimmon — make it a favorite among collectors. Because if there’s one thing we know about vintage kitchenware collectors, it’s that they love color. 

15. Holt Howard Pixieware Jam ‘n Jelly Jar

Holt Howard Pixieware Jam 'n Jelly Condiment Jar
Sundiver Art / ebay

Produced in the 1950s, this charming, whimsical piece features a playful pixie design and is crafted from ceramic with a glossy glaze, making it both functional and visually appealing. The jar typically comes with a coordinating lid and spoon, perfect for serving jams, jellies, or other condiments at the dining table. The Pixieware collection features other pieces too, including cream and sugar jars and a cookie jar.

More valuable kitchen finds: 

Four vintage Pyrex bowls in a brown and white floral pattern are stacked on top of each other. They are set against a floral-patterned background in shades of yellow, orange, and white.
Flickr/Strawbryb (CC BY)

Meet the Writer

Matt has spent over the last 8 years as both a writer and editor, working in Seattle and Brooklyn, where he is now based. He loves escaping the tirelessly fast pace of the “Mad Apple” that is NYC by taking walks and runs through parks where he’s able to catch up on the latest tea about society from the city’s ever chatty, always hungry, occasionally maniacal, pigeons. They always have a lot to say. When he’s not taking his urban nature strolls, or dutifully combing the deepest rabbit holes of the internet to find the content that’s worth sinking your mind’s teeth into, he’s likely holed up at a dark-lit dive bar with a new book and/or some friends, or just easily he could be on the hunt for the next addition to his steadily growing plant family.