Vintage Pyrex
Susan Keefe — August 24, 2011 — Art & Design
References: pyrexlove & pyrexcollective2.blogspot
These photos may inspire a touch of nostalgia. Chances are you’ve seen these bowls on more than a few kitchen counter tops. For decades, mothers everywhere prepared their family’s food in cheerfully decorated Pyrex dish ware. My own mother had a set of Cinderella bowls with the butterfly gold pattern when I was growing up. Now vintage pyrex is enjoying a revival. The popularity of vintage pyrex has spawned several blogs devoted to the subject, the popular Pyrex Collective. The Pyrex Collective is an online database, forum and blog open to pyrex hounds everywhere. The first Pyrex Collective was so successful that they’ve since moved to the site Pyrex Collective 2 in order to accommodate the growing number of passionate collectors.
Throughout the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s the Pyrex company released a slew of kitschy patterns embossed on everything from their mixing bowls to their butter dishes. It’s not surprising that the younger generation has latched onto these colorful touchstones; not only does vintage Pyrex remind us of baking with mom, they are also a happy alternative to the stark white that Pyrex has favored since the 1990s.
Much like an avid collector of action figures, many vintage Pyrex lovers prefer to display their hard won pieces publicly in whatever room they please. Aside from exuding a cozy nostalgia, these colorful bowls are also a great way to cheer up any room. While using dish ware as decor is certainly not a new thing, vintage Pyrex is a welcomed change of pace from those tired decorative plates. It might be time to start rooting around your mother’s kitchen for these design darlings.
Implications - We've seen knockoffs of some of the more successful Pyrex designs already, but none of them have captured our interest. Perhaps Pyrex should abandon the stark white they've favored for nearly twenty years and embrace their heritage once again. If Pyrex is not careful another company will most certainly beat them to the punch. Since nostalgia and a love of vintage is rampant amongst the younger generation, the revamping of vintage patterns could be exceedingly lucrative if done well.
Throughout the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s the Pyrex company released a slew of kitschy patterns embossed on everything from their mixing bowls to their butter dishes. It’s not surprising that the younger generation has latched onto these colorful touchstones; not only does vintage Pyrex remind us of baking with mom, they are also a happy alternative to the stark white that Pyrex has favored since the 1990s.
Much like an avid collector of action figures, many vintage Pyrex lovers prefer to display their hard won pieces publicly in whatever room they please. Aside from exuding a cozy nostalgia, these colorful bowls are also a great way to cheer up any room. While using dish ware as decor is certainly not a new thing, vintage Pyrex is a welcomed change of pace from those tired decorative plates. It might be time to start rooting around your mother’s kitchen for these design darlings.
Implications - We've seen knockoffs of some of the more successful Pyrex designs already, but none of them have captured our interest. Perhaps Pyrex should abandon the stark white they've favored for nearly twenty years and embrace their heritage once again. If Pyrex is not careful another company will most certainly beat them to the punch. Since nostalgia and a love of vintage is rampant amongst the younger generation, the revamping of vintage patterns could be exceedingly lucrative if done well.
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