The '80s Classic Kitchenware Whimsical Collectors Should Keep An Eye Out For

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Thanks to shows like "Bargain Hunt," "Antiques Roadshow," and "Salvage Hunters," many of us wonder if we have a hand-me-down from grandma lurking in the back of the kitchen cupboard that may be worth a pretty penny. Well, Sigma's The Tastesetter ceramics collection might be the next vintage kitchen brand that's the ultimate thrift store find. So if you don't have any, you may want to get your hands on something that's still reasonably affordable to collect and is quality made.

Unlike other vintage brands, not much is widely known about Sigma. It was reportedly a giftware importer that started in the 1960s in New York. The Tastesetter series appears to have debuted in the mid-to-late '70s and early '80s, with whimsical pieces designed with raised molding and bright colors. The products range from kitchenware featuring "Star Wars" characters, to a vase made to look like bok choy, a Miss Piggy mug, a Dracula teaset, gelatin molds with vegetables depicted on the top, to a pitcher with a pig. There is also the more well-known collection of Harlequin Pierrot clown pieces including soap dishes and trinket boxes to keep an eye out for. Collectors have mentioned finding pieces in second-hand shops, but there are dozens of items for sale online on sites such as ebay, Etsy, and Poshmark. Pieces can be listed for as little as $6, and some go up into the hundreds from there. 

While there may be pieces hiding in your kitchen or on thrift-store shelves, like vintage plates that are worth a fortune today, it's not just about the investment with Sigma The Tastesetter pieces; it's also about current aesthetic trends. In the 1980s, quirky housewares had a major moment before the minimalism of the '90s took over. Now that whimsy is back in a big way and these vintage kitchen items are suddenly trendy again, it's the perfect time to hunt for fun homewares. And rather than buying new items that attempt to replicate the era's vibe, why not buy authentic pieces from the '80s?

Cue: Sigma's Tastesetter series, which was reportedly discontinued in 1985. This line is full of playful pieces that collectors should keep an eye out for, such as a cute cabbage dish with squirrel handles from a seller on Etsy. The pieces featuring characters like Dracula and ones from "The Muppet Show" and "Star Wars" seem to be among the most popular with pop-culture kitsch lovers.

While some brands have distinctive logos or location stamps, Sigma's a bit of a mixed bag. Some products have a Sigma sticker on the bottom, some are stamped with the logo, while some are etched with the word Tastesetter. Items were frequently made in Japan and Italy, but not exclusively. Also, because some pieces were hand-painted, you might see individual brush strokes and slight discrepancies between products, which is another sign of authenticity and that you're getting the real deal.