Go Hunting At Your Local Thrift Stores: This Rare Pyrex Bowl Pattern May Be Waiting There

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Secondhand shopping is a great way to find vintage treasures and unique pieces to transform your home. When it comes to the kitchen and dining room, hunting for bowls, plates, and other cookware can be a good way to add a touch of nostalgia and retro charm to your space. And there is a lot of vintage dinnerware on the secondhand market, including some rare Pyrex gems that collectors dream of finding. One of uncommon Pyrex piece to be on the lookout for is the Golden Branch casserole dish, which was a limited edition promotional offering released in 1959. When it was first released, it cost just $4.95, but it can sell for up to $30 with its lid today.

Originally called the Pyrex Hospitality Casserole, fans of the brand gave it its unofficial name because of the gold branch pattern that adorns the front of the bowl. The gold branch is painted over an off-white, cream base which helps contribute to the overall golden appearance of this piece, while the interior of the bowl is the classic milk glass white of vintage Pyrex. When it was first released, the dish came with both a cradle with a candle warmer and a glass lid. This would have made it the perfect piece for hosting, as the food would remain warm and ready to eat away from a cooking surface. Even without the original cradle, this rare Pyrex bowl looks good on your countertop and can hold up to 2 quarts of food.

When hunting for rare, vintage Pyrex at the thrift store, there are a few things you should look at to make sure that they are authentic. On the bottom of the bowl, it should read "Trademark Pyrex" in all capital letters. Another thing to look for is the mark that reads, "Made in U.S.A." which is found under the Pyrex trademark. The final marking to look for, specifically on the Golden Branch casserole dish, is where it says "024 2QT." The 024 is the specific dish style that was chosen for this pattern, which corresponds to the 2 quart casserole dishes.

As with many vintage Pyrex pieces, it's important to pay attention to the condition of the piece as well. You'll want to check to make sure that there are no scratches across the printed pattern and that there are no cracks, chips, or crazing. Not only do these things impact the value of the bowl, but they can also be a sign that the piece is not safe to use, as it can mean that it can no longer handle high heat or that the lead in the painted design could potentially leach out. The design and paint is strictly on the exterior of the bowl, which means that the interior milk glass is still technically considered food safe, but it's best to proceed with an abundance of caution if you decide to actually use this item for food preparation.