The Adorable And Rare 1960s Condiment Jars To Look Out For At The Thrift Store

If you love mid-century charm and kitsch, there are some rare, vintage kitchen storage jars you need grab if you spot them at the thrift store. Holt-Howard Pixieware condiment jars are whimsical, nostalgic, and charming containers that were all the rage in the 1960s and are now considered rare collectibles. These hand-painted ceramic jars feature expressive pixie characters with cute faces that playfully relate to the jar's purpose. Take for instance, the Cocktail Onions jar, whose lid depicts a pixie with its mouth open in surprise and its eyes represented by Xs to poke fun at the strong aroma of its contents.

Holt-Howard was established in 1949 to sell modern yet humorous housewares. The Pixieware line was introduced in 1958 and offered practical, functional kitchen tools that were also display pieces meant to be collected. With the exception of the matching Lil' Sugar and Cream set, each piece consisted of a small jar with a matching pixie head that had an attached perforated spoon, fork, pick, or spear, depending on what the container was intended to hold.

There were between 12 and 16 original condiment jars in the Pixieware collection. Eventually the line expanded to include Happy Party Gremlins liquor decanters, snack bowls, liquor bottle bracelets, soup spoons, stacking spice containers, and oil and vinegar cruets. The condiment jars were sold for about $1 each from 1958 until some time in the early '60s. Due to the relative rarity of finding pieces in good condition with both the jar and the pixie head intact, they have become highly sought-after collector's items. They can fetch a pretty penny online, but make a great addition to decorate the retro kitchen of your dreams.

The best places to start looking for Holt-Howard Pixieware are antique stores and estate sales. You can also find pieces on eBay, Etsy, and other online vendors. Common items, like the Ketchup and Mustard set or Jam 'n Jelly jar may be available for around $40 to $100, depending on their condition. Very rare items like the Mayonnaise and Chili Sauce jars can cost from $400 to over $1,000. Items that don't have any damage or that come with their original boxes are worth more, while containers that are missing the pixie head lid may only be worth $10 to $20.

Other companies began imitating Pixieware, so it pays to brush up on the history of these vintage pieces before buying. When searching in stores and online, you can tell that a piece is authentic if it has the Holt-Howard name stamped on the bottom, along with the production year. Pieces in good condition may also still have the gold foil sticker on the bottom. Before buying Pixieware, check the item carefully or read the seller's online description to look for damage. Things to watch out for are cracks or breaks, even ones that have been mended. Lift the lid and make sure the spoon, fork, or pick is still attached to the pixie's head. Finally, verify that the head or lid matches the body or jar.