10 Vintage, Kitschy Cookie Jars Collectors Should Look For On Thrift Store Shelves

An adorable vintage cookie jar is always a fun thrift store find, but did you know some of them can be quite valuable? Rare cookie jars can fetch hundreds of dollars, some even over $1,000. Whether you want to dip your toe into collecting or snag valuable vintage kitchen items for sale, it's worth knowing about some popular, old cookie jars if you're an avid thrifter.

Many collectible-worthy cookie jars are from the earlier 20th century, when cookie jars reached peak popularity. Today, these vintage designs can look charmingly kitschy. When it comes to collectible cookie jars, it's not always the prettiest vessels that are the best earners— you might be surprised at what is popular amongst serious collectors. To help you spot the vintage cookie jars worth snagging, we've rounded up some to look out for on your next thrift trip.

It's also important to note, when thrifting collectibles, you'll want to verify your find is the real deal. Popular and valuable pieces can inspire all sorts of fakes. When it comes to vintage cookie jars, signs of legitimacy will vary from brand to brand, but generally, fake products will be smaller and of lower quality than their originals. Collectors' society sites can be good resources, as well as vintage traders' websites. Reference books are also available for popular brands, for example, the "McCoy Pottery Collector's Reference & Value Guide" and "The Collector's Guide to Shawnee Pottery," both available on Amazon for around $20 each. While you might have successfully identified valuable vintage containers, the next step for any thrifter would be vintage cookie jars.

The Little Red Riding Hood line was one of Hull Pottery's most popular, and it included canisters, sugar bowls, salt and pepper shakers, and more. The cookie jar was originally produced in the 1940s. Due to its popularity, it's prone to fake reproductions, which can be hard to spot because the jar comes in a few different designs. The Real or Repro site and Hull Pottery Association can provide verification resources. Very rare versions have sold for several thousand dollars, but most models are listed between $100 and $800 on resale sites.

McCoy is a popular name among cookie jar collectors. Based on the unsettling look of the McCoy Sad Clown Cookie Jar, you might not guess it's a valuable find. This smiling clown face has drooping features and a bright red nose and mouth (if found in good condition). McCoy Pottery Collectors' Society shares a short guide to detecting genuine McCoy products to determine the legitimacy of found products. On websites like eBay and Etsy, this cookie jar is listed between $200 and $300.

Shawnee Pottery is another well-known brand amongst cookie jar collectors. The vintage and valuable Shawnee Smiley Pig Cookie Jar is one of the brand's most popular jar designs. It features a clothed pig standing on its hind legs, with its eyes closed, displaying enviously long eyelashes. It's another one that can have a few different variations designs, most commonly, one with green clovers or one with pink flowers. Models can vary in value (for example, ones with gold paint accents are more valuable). On resale sites, we've seen models listed from around $300 to $500.

Music lovers might appreciate versions of the Grateful Dead Bus Cookie Jar. Produced by Vandor, these cartoon-like buses came out in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Two common colorways are a fluorescent rainbow design and a bright blue and purple design. The design leans into hippie aesthetics, ideal for anyone who wants something kitschy, but not super retro or animal-related. The resale price for this pretty rare find sits around $500, according to a couple of listings on eBay.

Regal China's Alice in Wonderland Cookie Jar is a rare piece worth grabbing if you see it at a thrift store. Also known as "Frightened Alice," the jar depicts the main character of "Alice in Wonderland" in her classic blue dress, sitting on a toadstool in a frightened pose. It was made by Regal China in 1951 and is a pretty sought-after cookie jar. Past purchase history shows models bought for around $1,000 to $4,000.

Christopher Radko is best-known for Christmas ornaments, but it turns out, the brand also made some cookie jars. The Christopher Radko Dapper Hare Family Portrait Cookie Jar is an adorably kitsch jar, released in 2000. It depicts a family of bunnies, dressed in bright, dapper clothing, standing on a flowery patch of grass. It's easy to imagine it as an Easter centerpiece, and will put buyers back around $200, according to listings on resale sites.

The Napco Miss Cutie Pie Cookie Jar lives up to its name, and is worth a pretty penny as well. Available with a pink or blue hood, this cookie jar has the face of a cartoonish young blonde girl, with cherubic features like rosy cheeks, a button nose, and long lashes. On Etsy, somewhat worn jars go for around $150, ranging up to around $400 on eBay for those in good condition.

The Lenox Spice Village caused quite a stir on social media in the early 2020s, but they're not the only kitchen accessories Lenox made in these quaint house-like shapes. Released in 1991, the Lenox Village Pink Cottage Cookie Jar is a larger version, made for cookies. This vintage jar has a yellow roof, pink and purple detailing, and a "Cookies" label, surrounded by painted vines. Listings on eBay price this cookie jar between $225 and $500, depending on its condition.

With the popularity of farmhouse and cottagecore decor, goose cookie jars have found their way back into some kitchens. A vintage model that's worth buying at the thrift store is the Metlox Lucy Goose Ceramic Cookie Jar. Produced in the 1970s, it's the type of jar you might see on a grandmother's countertop, shaped like a goose with a white bonnet and several blue bow details. It's less valuable than some cookie jars on this list, but resellers on Etsy and eBay price it between $75 and $150.

Anthropomorphic animals felt like all the rage during the golden age of cookie jars, but some look rather unsettling. If you want something kitschy but more subdued, the Los Angeles Pottery All Over Cookie Jar is an appealing thrift store find. It has a creamy white background, adorned with colorful, raised images of cookies, and finished with a walnut-shaped lid handle. Made in the 1950s, it's looks like it belongs in a retro kitchen. Current resale prices range from around $75 to $150.