The Astrology-Inspired Pyrex Dish That Collectors Dream Of Finding At Thrift Stores

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It's no secret that vintage Pyrex is one of the most valuable glass items you could hunt down at the thrift store. Between the 1950s and the 1970s, Pyrex released a slew of colorful, patterned kitchenware pieces that collectors adore to this day. Constructed from durable tempered soda-lime glass, these pieces remain a great asset in a modern kitchen. With their stunning retro flair and exceptional durability, all vintage Pyrex is a hot commodity, to say the least. However, there are some very special, limited-run additions that are even more coveted. If you're lucky–or if you were born under the auspicious sign of Sagittarius, wink, wink–you may stumble across the Pyrex zodiac casserole dish.

This enchanting collectible was first released in 1961 as a holiday season promotional item. The piece is a 2 ½-quart round casserole dish. It originally came with a clear lid featuring a golden starburst design and a warming cradle. This rare Pyrex bowl is forest green with twelve golden zodiac signs stamped around the exterior. The design is a true testament to the culture of the time. Although astrology has been around for thousands of years, the New Age movement of the 1960s marked the beginning of commercial astrology as we know it today. You'll see these celestial motifs again and again on vintage items from the 1960s and 70s.

Hunting down vintage Pyrex at the thrift store is always a gamble. Sometimes you'll have better luck finding something as specific as the Pyrex zodiac casserole dish somewhere like a vintage market or estate sale. If you can't find this collectible out in the wild, consider looking online. They are rare, but you can absolutely find them on eBay or Etsy. You may just have to pay a pretty penny for it.

These pieces are a super-valuable thrift-store find – especially if you can find one that's still in good condition. The gold leaf of the zodiac stamps is often cracked or scratched from decades of use. Some of these dishes can also fade from dark green to something closer to yellow. It's not unusual to find one that's missing its lid. But if you can find one with its lid and warming cradle, it can be worth anywhere from $250 to $325. That's not a bad figure considering these pieces retailed for $7.95 when they were released in 1961.

Once you bring home your zodiac casserole dish, you'll likely want to keep it looking as gorgeous as the day you found it. The best way to preserve it is just to keep it as a display piece. However, you can certainly use it and keep it in good shape, too. Always hand-wash these collectibles with mild soap. Avoid using abrasive cleaning solutions or scrubbers on the exterior pattern. If the inside of your casserole dish stains, Bar Keeper's Friend should clean it right up. Be sure to regularly clean your dish, even if you're not using it, so it won't collect dust or grease, and always remember to take extra care during the mercury retrograde!