The Rare Pyrex Bowl Collectors Dream Of Finding That Looks Good On Your Countertop

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We have a general rule of thumb: whenever you find Pyrex at the thrift, buy it. The brand is always collectible, and the most valuable vintage Pyrex to score at the thrift store can sell for $500 or more (one rare "holy grail" Pyrex print sold for $22,000). But equally important to the value is the brand's durability and countertop style points. For example, one coveted piece that looks as great as it works is the circa-1960 Pyrex Salad Bowl.

It was originally sold as a gift set, a format Pyrex popularized in the 1950s, complete with "glitter-flecked" tongs. The bowl features a sage green exterior with artwork of white fruits and vegetables and a white interior. With depictions of pears, cherries, apples, and strawberries, many collectors have taken to calling this bowl "Fruit Salad," but there are also other interesting things hidden in the artwork, like a baby with outstretched arms cradling the salad fixings. The unique features still look great today or make an ideal gift, just like Corning intended.

To find one of these quirky salad bowls online, search for "Pyrex salad bowl," "Pyrex fruit salad bowl," or "green 1960s Pyrex." eBay often has dozens of listings, with asking prices ranging from about $30 to $100 depending on condition. The salad bowl is one of the brand's Cinderella bowls, which are famous (and highly collectible) for their nesting abilities and unique handles that also serve as pour spouts. To ensure you've got the real thing, look for "Pyrex" and "Made in U.S.A." stamped onto the bottom of your bowl.

Though you can certainly use this bowl for salad, it's also made from Pyrex's signature tempered glass, so it is oven safe (unlike untempered glass, which you should avoid putting in the oven at all costs). And while many modern Pyrex pieces are dishwasher safe, it's best to avoid putting vintage bowls in the dishwasher, as repeated cycles can wear away the colorful exterior. Instead, hand-wash dishes in hot, soapy water with a sponge or nylon scrub. If your vintage Pyrex has old baked-on grime, try using Bar Keeper's Friend and a soft sponge to help remove it. Take care to keep any scrubby sponges away from the pattern or color on your Pyrex, as you can unintentionally scrape off the design — which makes the style so unique.