Bake in Style with Vintage CorningWare

CorningWare has brought joy to kitchens worldwide for over 80 years. If you’re interested in adding vintage dishes to your collection, this is the brand to look for. Whether you’re looking for a nostalgic pattern from your childhood or have recently become obsessed with the designs, anyone can learn how to identify and value this versatile bakeware.

What is CorningWare?

CorningWare is a vintage brand of cookware known best for its use of white glass-ceramic called Pyroceram. With the ability to withstand extreme temperatures and transfer directly from the refrigerator to the stovetop, it’s no wonder these durable vintage dishes have become a staple in millions of homes.

The CorningWare Backstory

Although Corning Glass Works, founded in 1851, was a renowned name in the glass industry for years, it wasn’t until 1958 that the scientists behind the company made a real breakthrough with a new ceramic-glass material. After experimenting with shapes and uses, the very first CorningWare designs were officially introduced at the Housewares Show in Chicago—and it was an immediate hit!

By the 1960s, these now-vintage dishes were commonplace in homes across America. Families and housewives everywhere began collecting every dish, percolator, and teapot released in whichever pattern they loved most. Although the company has undergone many changes and actively releases modern collections, the vintage bakeware remains its most popular.

Is it Corning Ware or CorningWare?

When shopping for vintage bakeware, you’ll notice that antique mall vendors may list pieces from this brand as both Corning Ware and CorningWare—so what’s the difference? Before the company was sold in 1998, the brand used two words. Afterwards, the brand became one word and started using stoneware, which is not suitable for stovetop use, instead of Pyroceram.

Why Collect Vintage Bakeware?

Why settle for the same-old dishes everyone and their mother has when you could spend your days tracking down the missing dish to complete your set of CorningWare? Whether you stick to one pattern or mix and match, vintage bakeware allows you to stock your kitchen cabinets with personal touches that make your space unique.

A large portion of collectors are driven by one of the most powerful emotions: nostalgia. Have you inherited a few pieces from your grandparents’ collection? Does seeing vintage patterns in your home spark memories of simpler times? Taking the time to buy unique trinkets, like vintage bakeware and antique jars, will help make your space as cozy and warm as possible.

For those interested in turning a profit, you’re in luck. Plenty of discontinued and rare CorningWare dishes are financially worthwhile. Specific vintage dishes can even fetch upwards of a couple thousand dollars!

Types of Vintage Bakeware:

• Casserole dishes

• Cake pans

• Pie plates

• Dutch ovens

• Muffin tins

• Loaf pans

• Mixing bowls

How to Identify and Value Vintage CorningWare

There’s no doubt about it: dating and valuing vintage bakeware is a skill. Avoid the retro-wanna-be replicas and learn how to authenticate vintage CorningWare for yourself:

Look at the Pattern

The pattern is the very first clue you need to determine the age and value of a CorningWare dish. In general, the rarer the pattern, the more valuable the vintage dish becomes. Certain rare vintage bakeware sets can fetch hundreds or thousands of dollars, while other, more common designs, go for $10 to $20.

7 of the Most Popular CorningWare Patterns

With so many variations and reproductions, the exact number of CorningWare patterns is hard to pinpoint. When you shop at an Algonquin antique mall, you may be lucky enough to see these sought-after vintage dishes in real life:

• Blue Cornflower: the company’s trademark pattern, introduced in 1958, features a blue three-flower design on a solid white background

• Floral Bouquet: produced from 1969 to 1974, features white flowers with golden accents against a white background

• Country Festival: introduced around 1975, inspired by cross-stitch patterns, features two bright blue birds sitting on top of green vines and red and orange flowers set on a white background

• French White: produced from the ‘70s to the ‘80s, featuring a glossy white hue and distinctive fluted exterior

• Atomic Starburst: popular from 1959 until 1963, features a mid-century modern gold starburst motif against a white or transparent background

• Spice O’ Life: made from 1972 to 1988, featuring an earth-toned color scheme and illustrated mushrooms, artichokes, and garlic cloves

• Wildflower: produced from 1977 to 1985, featuring dainty blue flowers, vibrant red poppies, yellow daisies, and other blossoms

Search for the Backstamp

The authentic vintage bakeware from CorningWare features a backstamp on the underside. The official backstamp has undergone multiple iterations over the years, featuring different embossing styles, fonts, flower designs, and production information. These backstamps are what experts rely on when determining the age and value of each vintage dish.

Those released prior to 1998 will be stamped with “Corning Ware” and a “Made in the USA” label, while those after will say they’re “Made in China” and use the one-word version the brand uses to this day. Vintage bakeware designs may also feature a small flame logo, depending on the year of manufacture.

Consider the Bakeware’s Condition

Since the majority of vintage bakeware is pre-owned, there is a good chance the condition is less than mint. When you find a piece at the antique mall near Chicago, take a closer look at the lids, rims, and undersides of each vintage dish for scratches, chips, or staining. If any show signs of heavy use, they are likely to be of lower value.  

Are Complete CorningWare Sets More Valuable Than Individual Pieces?

The short answer—yes! If you find a matching set of CorningWare in good condition, it will go for a high price. But, if you come across a standalone vintage dish, don’t discount it: certain collectors will pay a pretty penny to be able to complete their existing collection. 

It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking for your own collection or for a unique gift for a friend—anyone can shop for vintage dishes from CorningWare! Determine which pattern resonates with you and complements your home décor, get ready for the thrill of the hunt, and head to your local antique mall to start your search.