CorningWare Spice of Life Collection Value Guide

The CorningWare Spice of Life collection is a hallmark of 1970s kitchen Americana, celebrated for its earth-toned herbal motif and French culinary labels. Crafted from missile-grade Pyroceram, these pieces are highly collectible due to their legendary thermal shock resistance and their status as the brand's second most popular pattern.

What Is CorningWare Spice of Life Collection Worth?

The typical price range for CorningWare Spice of Life Collection is $160 - $175 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Completeness of the set, including original borosilicate glass lids and matching patterns across various sizes.
• The presence of specific rare labels or larger casserole dishes which can push the set value toward the $175 range.
• Condition of the Pyroceram surface, specifically looking for a lack of 'flea bites,' chips, or grey metal rub marks from utensils.
• Clarity of the herbal transfer design, as vibrant, unfaded colors command higher prices than those worn by dishwasher use.

How to Identify CorningWare Spice of Life Collection?

• Check for the signature 'Spice of Life' pattern featuring vegetables and herbs like 'Le Persil' (parsley) or 'L'Echalote' (shallot) printed on the side.
• Verify the material is Pyroceram, which has an opaque, white, glass-ceramic appearance rather than standard stoneware.
• Look for the CorningWare backstamp on the bottom, which should indicate the piece was made in the USA between 1972 and 1987.
• Ensure the lids are made of authentic borosilicate glass, designed to fit the specific dimensions of the Pyroceram base.

History of CorningWare Spice of Life Collection

Introduced in 1972, the Spice of Life pattern became the second most popular CorningWare design after Blue Cornflower. It was released during a period of culinary interest in herbs and French cooking, featuring labels like Le Persil and L'Echalote. This set is made of Pyroceram, a glass-ceramic material originally developed for guided missile nose cones because of its incredible thermal shock resistance.