Not A Bowl: The Rustic Vintage Pyrex Dish That's An Ultra Rare Thrift Find

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Lately it seems like everyone is heading to the thrift store in search of a bargain. For many, it's a choice borne of necessity as inflation makes everything more expensive. Others are being introduced to the thrill of the hunt through social media. If you're obsessed with fancy vintage tableware, thrift stores are hard to beat. You may already know many of the valuable Pyrex items you should never overlook at the thrift store, but ultra rare pieces like the Pyrex Wild Fowl line are so uncommon that even savvy shoppers could overlook them. According to Dr. Lori Verderame, a renowned Ph.D. Antiques Appraiser, finding the rustic flying ducks on a lidded casserole dish could put up to $1,500 in your pocket.

"Rarity is the main reason why the ever-illusive Pyrex Wild Fowl line (also known as Duck Hunt or Mallard Ducks) of ovenware from James A. Jobling (JAJ), the British Pyrex producer, is so valuable," Dr. Verderame told Hunker during an exclusive interview. While typical Pyrex designs were screenprinted, this rare thrift find was decorated in a slightly different way. "The imagery on the ovenware featuring ducks flying over a marsh area with cattails and other marsh plants was made using decals," the antiques appraiser explained. It was only produced between 1961 and 1963, which is one of the reasons it's such a rare find. "The pattern is highly collectible and willing buyers pay big bucks for these Pyrex pieces," Dr. Verderame said. She added that pieces in good condition with their original glass lids command prices between $1,000 to $1,500.

Why Pyrex's Duck Hunt pattern remains so elusive is mostly a mystery, but one thing is certain: it's highly unlikely that you'll ever find it on a bowl. "The Duck Hunt Pyrex pattern is typically found on the Pyrex ovenware casserole dishes with typical clear glass lids," Dr. Verderame told us.

The antiques expert said the pattern continued a 19th century tradition of designing dishes and casseroles that reflected the game meats and vegetables that were commonly cooked inside them. "From the late 19th century to the mid 20th century, specific baking dishes in the form of hunted animal like deer, rabbit, or hens (chicken) were used for game casseroles," she explained. This trend may also explain the enormous popularity of Pyrex's Early American pattern, a design featuring a rooster-topped weathervane and other colonial farm and kitchenware imagery that was released in 1962.

However, while you can easily find the Early American pattern on covered casserole dishes for under $50, it's a different case for the Duck Hunt. In fact, it's almost impossible to spot this valuable vintage Pyrex pattern at your local thrift store. According to Dr. Verderame, "Most Duck Hunt patterned Pyrex baking dishes would be found in estate sales or on platforms online like etsy.com, ebth.com, or ebay.com. Collectors have made it clear that this pattern is widely sought after and therefore very pricey." 

Fan forums, Reddit threads, and online listings can be tremendously helpful when you're trying to identify authentic vintage Pyrex for a more valuable thrift store haul. The valuable Duck Hunt pattern features three ducks mid-flight through grassy blades, all set in tan and brown hues. You may find online listings for other Wild Fowl or Mallard Duck patterns, which feature very similar birds. However, they are rendered with emerald green heads and orange feet against a sky blue background. This find may still be worth picking up at the thrift store, because pieces in good condition sell for over $100. However, the more neutral Duck Hunt design is a far more valuable find.

If you love the pattern's rustic look but are having trouble locating (or affording) it, Dr. Verderame suggested several alternate Pyrex patterns that are easier to find in a thrift store. If you love the tonal brown hues, she suggested Forest Fancies which features delicate line-drawn mushrooms on a speckled almond background. To capture the same breezy marsh look, the antique expert suggested Pyrex's Autumn Harvest pattern, which features ivory wheat stalks against a rust background. Clover Berry, Woodland, Blowing Leaves, and Barbed Wire are also commonly available patterns that she said can help you get a similar rustic look at a more affordable price.

Whether you score an ultra rare thrift find or an everyday pattern, remember that condition matters most when you want to get the highest value out of your Pyrex purchase. Pieces with chips, cracks, or scratched designs aren't as valuable to collectors. And to command the best prices, casserole dishes should have their original lids.