The Ultra-Rare Pyrex Dish With A Whimsical Pattern That's A Dream Thrift Store Find

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Thrifting for kitchen items is not only a fun way to bring some charm to your everyday cooking and serving collection, it can uncover some truly valuable vintage pieces. Vintage Pyrex is a beloved collector's brand of cookware, known for whimsical designs and unique colors from the mid-20th century that can go for big resale bucks today. Some Pyrex patterns like the rare "Lucky in Love" pattern are limited-edition and go for top dollar on auction sites to serious collectors. Other pieces are simply cute finds due to their kitschy charm. 

One hard-to-find design you'd be lucky to snag at a thrift store or estate sale is a decidedly vintage motif of gold and burgundy or turquoise fruit including pears, a pineapple, and cherries. Described by eBay sellers as the "Paradise" pattern, this design appear on glass lids made to fit Pyrex's round casserole bowls, model number 024. 

These casserole dishes were often sold with a metal cradle that fit a candle warmer underneath to keep your food warm. Finding a complete set with cradle, bowl, and glass lid is the most valuable, as these items often become separated over time. A burgundy and gold-embossed Paradise glass lid and dish set was listed for over $250 on eBay, and a turquoise version of this set was offered on the site for $375.

Finding out what a vintage piece is actually worth can take some digging. Although undoubtedly rare, the provenance of this fruity motif is a bit murky. Reddit collectors on r/Pyrex_Love excited by the artistic design posit that it looks a lot like the creations of Georges Briard, a mid-century modern designer (real name Jascha Brojdo) whose vintage glassware is highly sought by collectors. His iconic "forbidden fruit" pattern was common in the middle of the 20th century, and looks quite similar, leading some to think it might have been reproduced for Pyrex for this Paradise composition.

If you do find this rare pattern, know that its worth will be directly related to its condition. Pieces without nicks, cracks, or chips will be most valuable. And make sure it is truly vintage. YouTuber @66uniqueantiques advises to check for the label "PYREX" in all capital letters, and an item number you can look up online to see if it's an important collectible. Check online antique resale sites for similar pieces to know whether your find might bring you a great return on the resale market, or whether its value lies in being a fun conversation piece added to your vintage kitchen collection.