Antique Appraiser Identifies Rare, Polka Dot Pyrex Mixing Bowls You Should Look Out For At The Thrift Store

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If you have fond memories of your parents' or your grandparents' kitchen, there's a good chance that Pyrex is at the center of those memories. The unique patterns on vintage Pyrex dishes are instantly recognizable and often evoke feelings of cheerfulness and warmth — even if some of the patterns look a little dated. For those who love collecting rare, vintage Pyrex, the Dots design is a particularly eye-catching pattern and a rare find worth keeping an eye out for.

As antiques appraiser Dr. Lori explains (via YouTube), these nesting bowls stand out from dozens of other Pyrex pieces on thrift store shelves. That's because each bowl features a polka-dot-like pattern with three rows of brightly colored dots against a white background — from smallest to largest, the colors are orange, yellow, blue, and green. Dr. Lori notes that the vivid colors are reminiscent of the 1960s Pop Art movement which featured artists such as Andy Warhol creating works with vibrant, eye-catching colors and imagery.

The bowls' design stands out, too. As Dr. Lori explains, the Dots design was inspired by Op Art, or optical art, which became popular during the 1960s and used patterns and colors to create optical illusions of movement or depth. Each piece in the set takes inspiration from the style by featuring a series of graduated dots. Each has three rows of dots, with the largest row on top, the medium-sized row in the middle and the smallest row on the bottom. For collectors hoping to find genuine pieces, the markings on the bottom of the bowls can offer useful clues. The Pyrex backstamp can help identify and date the pieces, while the model number can help confirm the bowl's size and type.

Produced between 1968 and 1973, the Dot bowls quickly became one of Pyrex's most popular patterns. While they are now often found and sold as a set — more on that in a minute — each bowl was originally sold individually. Fans of Food Network shows may have also seen these bowls before — albeit perhaps unknowingly. Both Rachael Ray and Alton Brown have used Dot bowls as props on their respective shows, "30 Minute Meals" and "Good Eats."

Those who have fond memories of Dot bowls from their youth may have paid a pretty penny to add one or two to their collection, with individual bowls usually selling for anywhere from $40 to more than $100 depending on which one they're after. Those who come across them in a thrift store — as Dr. Lori did — will also have to pay big bucks if they want them. The set that Dr. Lori found came with a firm asking price of $450, and the asking price on eBay and Etsy is just as much, if not more, depending on where you look.

Finding a rare Pyrex pattern can easily make an ordinary thrift store a memorable one. While the Dots bowls may be a pricey buy if you find a complete set, one of the great things about vintage Pyrex is its variety. In your hunt for vintage Pyrex items, you might find one or more of Pyrex's other rare patterns that can make the perfect additions to your kitchen.