The Vintage Circus Cookie Jar Collectors Would Love To Find On Thrift Store Shelves

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Thrifting is a timeless hobby embraced by people of all ages. Avid collectors flock to stores looking for rare, one-of-a-kind goods. For those who thrift kitchenware, handcrafted pieces with charm that modern, mass-produced products simply don't have are prime finds. There's a vintage cookie jar floating around on thrift store shelves that any collector would be ecstatic to get their hands on. This unique ceramic is the Circus Horse Cookie Jar from the Brush Pottery Company.

Like the vintage goose cookie jars that made an unexpected comeback, these ceramic cookie jars have a distinctive look that's hard to miss. The company released dozens of novelty ceramic containers from 1954 to 1971. Designed by brothers Don and Ross Winton, the Circus Horse design came out in 1955. It's a delightfully whimsical vintage product with an old-fashioned aesthetic that's even more appealing when you know the value of the jar.

Never overlook this valuable vintage kitchen item if you see it at a thrift store or estate sale. It should be easy to spot as it's shaped like a circus horse with a small dog posed on the lid on the horse's back. There are two color combinations. The more valuable style is the brown, green, and tan horse, while the blue, pink, and white is a cheaper find but still very much sought after.

This vintage cookie jar is a collector's treasure worth hundreds to thousands of dollars. It's tricky to find on popular resale sites like eBay and Etsy, unlike other cookie jars with dozens of listings floating around on the internet. It's such a rare find that the value is a matter of debate. Previous listings have sold for a wide range of prices. The brown, green, and tan version has been valued at almost $400 in the past, yet one Etsy listing has it marked at nearly $2,000.

The white, pink, and blue version isn't priced as exorbitantly high, but still has a gorgeous aesthetic that's coveted by collectors. Back in 2013, an online listing for this version of the Brush Pottery Company's Circus Horse Cookie Jar sold for $120. Of course, this item is such a hard-to-find collectible that most collectors are unlikely to part with and resell this classic ceramic.

The Brush Pottery Company's cookie jars aren't guaranteed to have any identifiable backmarks or stamps like other vintage items, but you may find "Brush" and "USA" engraved on the bottom beside the model letter and number. In the Circus Horse's case, this etching would be "W10." Although they aren't guaranteed to be backmarked, they are easily identifiable based on their design alone. These cookie jars are around 11 inches long and tall and are made of ceramic material with a glossy finish. They also have hand-painted details. If you're lucky enough to find one, you'll have a rare treasure!