Not Just A Mixing Bowl: The Pyrex Dish That Collectors Adore As Stylish Countertop Display

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The beauty of collecting vintage Pyrex is that it's, well, beautiful. Whether it's the cheery pop of a rare Turquoise Diamonds mixing bowl or the oh-so-pretty-in-pink vibe of patterns like Gooseberry, old-school Pyrex opalware is made to be put on display. And, while they may have started out having a practical purpose, you're best off keeping it for decorative use only. This way, you'll help keep the value of your vintage Pyrex dishware and reduce the risk of chips, scratches, and other damage.

Here's another Pyrex pattern to add to your collection, and it's one that works as a stylish countertop display thanks to its striking green hue: the Salad Bowl. The four-quart bowl, from the dreamy Cinderella dishware line, was a promotional item released in 1960, complete with a set of glittery salad tongs. The bowl's pattern features fruit or vegetables, such as tomatoes (or peaches), pears (or squashes), and leaves around the circumference. Since Pyrex wasn't in the habit of naming its promotional pieces, "Salad Bowl" is an unofficial name, given by collectors. An even less official name is "Fetus" or "Hidden Baby," because if you look closely, the area where a leaf overlaps the pear/squash resembles a baby.

Unlike some rare, promotional Pyrex items, Salad Bowl isn't that difficult to track down and usually sells for around $40, though some are priced as high as $100 on secondhand sites. There is a smaller, 2.5-quart bowl with a similar produce-themed pattern around its circumference, but it's incredibly rare. Still, if you're able to find the two together, you can make a pretty display with them both.

Once you get your hands on the Pyrex Salad Bowl, there are loads of ways you can show it off in your kitchen. Since it features fruit so prominently in its design, try using it as a fruit bowl on your counter. Brightly colored oranges and shiny red apples will stand out against the bowl's deep green hue. The bowl's large size also makes it ideal for use as a planter, particularly for trailing plants like pothos or spider plants. Since the bowl won't have drainage holes in it, either use it as a cachepot by tucking a nursery pot inside, or add a layer of gravel to the bottom.

A popular way to display vintage Pyrex bowls is to stack several together, using either DIY risers, such as plastic deli containers, or special stacking rings, like Amazon's 4-piece display stand for Pyrex. Usually, collectors stack bowls with the same pattern. But, since the Salad Bowl was only produced in the 4-quart size, you'll need to get a little creative if you want to display it in a stack. Pair the bowl with others in coordinating colors, such as the cheery red and orange found in the country charm of the Friendship pattern, or the bubblegum pink of Gooseberry. Look for Cinderella bowls, which have the two pour spouts on the side in the 2.5-quart, 1.5-quart, and 1.5-pint size.