The Charming, Old-School Kitchen Accessory You Can Get At The Thrift Store

Vintage, thrifted kitchen accessories serve a multitude of purposes in households — they don't have to be confined to the kitchen. Use them to display dried flowers, store your marble collection, or simply place them on a shelf with other unique pieces. When it comes to cute dessert dishes, the custard cup is one of those things that once served a singular purpose: serving fancy custard desserts. But now, it can also double as home decor, a cute and kitchsy storage space, and so much more. 

Like most kitchenware, the custard cups have evolved over the years, originating in England during the late 1700s, when they typically had handles, ornately shaped bodies, intricate patterns, and decorative lids. Some models from the 1800s were even made of clear glass (sometimes crystal). Just remember, your vintage glassware may be beautiful, but it's not always safe to drink or eat from. Then there are custard dishes designed for oven baking. These often feature a flat base, a flared rim, and a shorter height.

While there are many types of custard cups, old-school ones can be worth thrifting for, if not for their value, then for their charming aesthetic. There are some things to look for when hunting for custard cups, like the stamps or carvings on the bottoms that indicate who made them and whether they glow under a black light, because yes, there are some uranium glass custard cups.

When shopping for vintage custard cups, there's a lot to look for. Not all of them will have a manufacturer's stamp on the bottom, but if they look vintage and you love them — buy them! Even if they're not vintage, they can still make cute additions to your home decor. In fact, some companies are still making custard cups to this day using old molds.

Of the many adorable pieces you could come across, Pyrex is a pretty popular one. While many vintage Pyrex custard cups are clear glass, you will also find some with colorful exteriors. Pyrex pieces are usually stamped with the company name, and dating them can be done by looking at the stamp — its shape, curve, and general details — but you'll want to do some research, as there were many variations.

McKee is another brand to consider; they also offer uranium glass pieces. Just be careful of health hazards when thrift shopping for this glass, since it is radioactive and not safe for food use. Look at the bottom of the custard cup for a circle with "McK" in it to confirm you've found this vintage custard cup maker. And finally, Yellowware pieces are among the most valuable, have an extremely vintage, handmade look, and are yellow. This one is proof that watching for the shape of an item while shopping is the one rule you should always follow when thrifting for treasures.