15 Vintage Kitchenware Items That Are Valuable to Collectors
Ever wonder if that old casserole dish or cast iron skillet tucked away in your kitchen is worth more than just sentimental value? Turns out, some vintage kitchenware pieces are fetching serious cash these days. From iconic Pyrex patterns to classic cast iron skillets, collectors are willing to pay top dollar for rare and well-preserved pieces. Whether you’re a vintage enthusiast or just curious about what might be hiding in your cabinets, here’s a look at some of the most valuable kitchen treasures out there.
1. KitchenAid Fire King Tulip Mixing Bowls
Highest price on eBay: $370
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.
2. Griswold Cast Iron Skillets
Highest price on eBay: $6,200
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.
3. Jeanette Delphite Blue Measuring Cups
Highest price on eBay: $245
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.
4. Blue Cornflower Corning Ware Sets
Highest price on eBay: $34,000
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, which has 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.
5. Le Creuset Limited Edition Doraemon Cocette
Highest price on eBay: $2,762
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.
6. Victorian Sterling Silver Tea Sets
Highest price on eBay: $7,550
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.
7. Hobart KitchenAid Mixer
Highest price on eBay: $3,750
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.
8. Pyrex Starburst Baking Dishes
Highest price on eBay: $855
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.
9. Jadeite Dinnerware
Highest price on eBay: $850 (auction removed)
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.
10. Volcanic Flame Le Creuset Orange Red Skillet
Highest price on eBay: $2,450
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. McKee Custard Glass Shakers
Highest price on eBay: $900
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.
12. Pyrex Refrigerator Dishes
Highest price on eBay: $4,000
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.
13. Cathrineholm Enamelware
Highest price on eBay: $1,500
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.
14. Russel Wright American Modern Dinnerware
Highest price on eBay: $3,500
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
Highest price on eBay: $450
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.