Skip Le Creuset: Collectors Dream Of Finding This Rare CorningWare Pattern

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It's no secret that the kitchenware department in some secondhand stores can be goldmines. And if you're just learning about which products to look for, there are some brands of dishware and bakeware you shouldn't ignore if you're searching for value and quality. These brands are highly sought after for a few reasons, including durability, aesthetics, and even their ability to conjure nostalgia. One such brand is CorningWare, which has its own cult following because of its glass-and-ceramic composition, known as Pyroceram. This material is prized for its ability to be used for both cold and hot purposes without breaking. One pattern that you might want to be on the lookout for from CorningWare is the Pastel Bouquet, which can inject your kitchen with a dose of nostalgic charm.

The Pastel Bouquet pattern was released between 1985 and 1990, and hasn't been reproduced for a modern audience since, which means pieces on the secondhand market are pure vintage. The motif features an assortment of delicate floral stems with green leaves, and the flowers themselves vary between pale blue, purple, and yellow. This delicate print is set against white Pyroceram, with the flowers wrapping around each side. Multiple casserole dish sizes were made with this pattern, from 1-quart up to a 5-quart, and there's even a roasting pan with the pattern on it. These pieces were produced to accompany the corresponding Corelle dishware of the same name, which is another vintage dinnerware brand worth picking up at the thrift store.

If you're able to thrift this vintage kitchenware brand, there are a few things to look for regarding authenticity. Since this pattern was available for five years, different pieces have different backstamps. However, you'll want to look for the "CorningWare" mark, which is often on the underside of the handles. The Pastel Bouquet pieces will have size marks on them as well, including measurements or the actual size, such as how many liters the dish holds. Other marks to look for are where it's manufactured, as some baking dishes will either say Made in the USA or Corning, NY with the brand name.

It's always important to pay attention to the condition of any CorningWare pieces that you find. Not only does the value decrease if there are scratches or if the design is fading, but it's important to look for chips and cracks as well. Signs of crazing, which is basically small fractures on the surface of ceramic, can also be a problem, as that can be a sign that the piece can no longer handle big temperature changes or high heat. Of course, actually having the glass lid is important to the value of the piece as well, since they were more prone to breakage. On eBay and Replacements, a 5-quart casserole dish with lid sells for around $75 to $80, while a 3-quart with the lid costs around $25.