If you think that your chipped enameled red casserole dish or speckled coffee pot is worthless, you’re wrong! Vintage enamelware is having its moment these days, becoming surprisingly collectible. And there are high chances, your piece could be worth a fortune, too!
So, scroll down to learn how to identify authentic enamelware and assess its worth. Also, discover the most valuable enamelware dishes collectors are obsessing over—and what makes them so special!
What Is Enamelware (A Quick Trip to Its Origin)
Enamelware is made by fusing powdered glass to metal at super-high temperatures—we’re talking about 2000 degrees Fahrenheit! When glass melts, it bonds to the metal surface and creates a smooth, non-porous finish. It’s like giving metal a glass coating!
The kitchen enamelware we know today got its start in Germany in the mid-19th century. By the 1850s, Americans were starting to use basic enamel-lined pots and pans. The golden age of enamelware kicked off in the 1870s and lasted through the 1930s.
Post 1940s, enamelware started losing popularity as plastic, stainless steel, and aluminum took over kitchens. Plus, World War II scrap metal drives claimed many pieces, making truly antique enamelware harder to find today.
How to Identify & Date Antique Enamelware? (5 Signs to Spot)
So you’ve found an enamelware piece in your cabinets—but is it an authentic vintage find or a modern reproduction? Here’s how to tell the difference:
The “Weight Test”
Pick your piece up and assess its weight! Enamelware made in the early 20th century feels noticeably heavier than pieces made after World War II. Generally, the heavier the piece, the older it probably is. This is because earlier pieces used thicker, higher-quality metal bases.
Signs of Aging (Natural)
Genuine vintage enamelware typically shows natural signs of aging, such as:
- Natural Patina: Like all antiques, genuine vintage enamelware develops a certain look and feel over time that’s hard to fake.
- Authentic Damage: Real vintage pieces often have chips or dings from decades of use—it’s actually rare to find antique enamelware in perfect condition. Besides, “flawless” vintage enamel items are too good to be true; they indicate reproductions.
- Rust Patterns: Where the enamel has chipped, natural rust develops over many years in a way that’s different from artificially aged reproductions.
- Wear Patterns: Look for natural wear on handles, rims, and bases that match how the item would have been used.
Construction Details
Observing how an enamelware item is made can help you authenticate it. Here are the key construction details to look for:
- Handles: Older enamelware pieces typically have riveted (separately-applied) handles, spouts, and knobs. Modern pieces likely feature molded handles.
- Material Matters: Antique enamelware often has wooden handles or knobs while later examples generally feature plastic handles/knobs.
- Sound Test: Tap the bottom of the piece—if it makes a “tinny” sound, it’s probably from the 1970s or later.
- Enamel Quality: Earlier pieces usually have a smoother, thicker enamel coating, while newer pieces can be spotted by thin enameling.
- Surface Finish: Real vintage enamelware typically has a smoother enamel coating. Moreover, authentic pieces generally have a distinctive patina or some signs of rust. A flawless enamwork without any blemishes, etc., can indicate a reproduction.
Enameling Techniques
The way the enamel was applied to a piece can also help identify it:
- Vitreous Enameling: The standard technique for most kitchenware that features smooth, glossy, often solid or speckled colors. It focuses on functionality.
- Cloisonné: It features thin metal wires forming compartments filled with enamel. It’s more common in decorative pieces rather than utility items.
- Champlevé: It features recesses carved into the metal surface filled with enamel, with a smooth texture and surface. It’s also mostly seen in decorative items.
- Guilloche Enameling: It has translucent enamel work over an engine-turned repeating mechanical pattern visible under the layer of translucent enamel.
- Industrial Enameling: The mass-production technique used for most kitchen items, featuring solid, opaque colors, uniform coating, and simple designs.
Valuing Vintage Enamelware Dishes (5 Key Factors)
Want to know if that enamelware coffee pot you just found could be worth some money? Here’s what determines the value of vintage enamelware pieces:
Condition Is (Almost) Everything
Generally, old enamelware pieces with no chips, cracks, or rust will fetch top dollar, especially for older items. However, minor damage like small chips or light wear might not hurt the value much, especially for rare pieces.
Important safety note—don’t eat or drink from vintage enamelware! Old pieces often have chips that could leach rust into food, and early coloring agents like cadmium and uranium can be toxic.
Such damaged pieces still have decorative value, though, if they feature rare patterns or designs. Otherwise, they aren’t worth much over a few dollars.
Mid-century modern collectors (looking for Catherineholm or Dansk) usually demand near-perfect condition
Rarity Factors
Several things make a vintage enamelware piece rare and more valuable, such as:
- Unusual Colors: Purple, brown, and green are the hardest to find and usually bring higher prices than the common blue, gray, or white pieces.
- Special Patterns: Unusual patterns or limited production designs command premium prices over common patterns like swirls and elegant lines.
- Uncommon Forms: Specialized cooking tools or unusual containers are worth more than everyday items like bowls, pitchers, or cups.
- Limited Production: Limited edition examples from short manufacturing runs or specific historical periods can be especially valuable. Items made by a less popular company in limited numbers can also be considered rare.
Age
While not always the primary factor, older or historically significant pieces might be more valuable. For example, true antiques (over 100 years old) and pre-1900 graniteware items hold the highest value. Post-World War examples fetch comparatively lower prices.
For example, a century-old muffin tin in perfect condition with a rare color or shape could bring $500-$800+.
Size Considerations
The size of an enamelware piece affects its value in interesting ways. For example, big pieces, like large coffee pots, pitchers, and bowls, often bring higher prices than smaller ones like cups and saucers.
Besides, complete sets, like nesting bowls, full canister sets, or matching service pieces, typically fetch a premium price over single items.
Rare miniatures made for children or as salesman’s samples can also be highly collectible.
Rare Patterns Worth Collecting
The pattern on a vintage enamelware item can largely impact its value. Here are some common patterns to look for:
- Marbled/Swirled: These swirly, mixed-color pieces are collector favorites (especially in rare colors) and typically bring the highest prices.
- Speckled/Spattered: The classic “splatter paint” look—often creating a granite-like appearance (hence “graniteware”).
- “End of Day”: These funky pieces have a mix of colors, supposedly made with leftover enamel at the end of the workday.
- Solid Colors with Contrasting Rims: Classic white pieces with blue or red edges.
- Stenciled Designs: Look for Czech pieces with stenciled fruit, flowers, or even turkeys.
- Mid-Century Modern Patterns: The Catherineholm lotus pattern or Dansk’s “spaghetti string” designs are super hot right now.
- French Floral Patterns: French pieces often have beautiful painted flowers and sometimes gold accents.
10 Rare Vintage Enamelware Examples to Look for!
Here are the 10 highly rare and valuable vintage enamelware items that have sold for astonishing prices. Find out if you have one!
1. Cathrineholm Lotus Bowl (Norway)
This collectible Lotus bowl is from the Cathrineholm’s most popular line, the Lotus series, produced from 1962 to 1965. The pieces were advertised as “White as porcelain—harder than steel!” and came in a range of vibrant mid-century modern colors adorned with the distinctive lotus leaf pattern.
The pink Cathrineholm lotus bowl is one of the rarest colors in the Cathrineholm lotus line, making it highly valuable, as this one sold for $522!
2. Columbian Blue White Swirl Graniteware Enamelware Pitcher Bowl
This is a rare and beautiful Columbian Graniteware enamelware pitcher and bowl set with the striking blue and white swirl pattern, which is among the Columbian Enameling’s most sought-after patterns by collectors, particularly in larger pieces like pitchers and washbasins.
The set includes a matching pitcher with a black handle and a basin/bowl, both featuring a rich cobalt blue base with a dramatic white swirl/marble pattern. The rarity and popularity of this unique pattern justify the high price of $585 for this pitcher!
3. Savory Roaster Pan with Lid
This is a rare vintage Savory roasting pan which is highly collectible for its vibrant design. The pan features a green background with a decorative pink strawberry pattern, with two side handles and a domed lid.
The strawberry pattern on this roaster is much less common than the standard solid-colored or speckled versions, making it rare and valuable, and worth the price of $150!
4. French Enamelware Soup Tureen
White enameled tureens with gold trim from the 19th century, like this example, are relatively uncommon compared to other types of antique tureens. This piece here is made of metal coated with white enamel, decorated with gold fillets.
Based on current market data, 19th-century French enameled soup tureens with gilded details generally range in value from $150 to $450, depending on condition, size, and decorative elements.
5. Graniteware Coffee Boiler with Bail Handle
This rare forest green enamelware coffee kettle is a beautiful example of vintage enameled kitchenware. It features a classic coffee boiler design with a bail handle (the arched metal handle that swings from side to side).
The bail handle with a wooden or heat-resistant grip makes this piece more handy and functional. What makes this piece special is its forest green color with a subtle gradient effect – darker at the bottom and slightly lighter toward the top.
Forest green enamelware is considered relatively rare compared to the more common blue, white, gray, or red varieties. Besides, the two-tone effect adds to its uniqueness and value.
6. Vintage Dutch Enamel Bread Box
This light blue enamel bread box is a classic example of Dutch kitchenware that was both functional and stylish. These boxes feature a rectangular design with a hinged lid and a front-facing latch mechanism.
Brass-plated metal hardware, including the carrying handle on top and the locking clasp in front, are key signs of age. With this example selling for $110, similar vintage Dutch enamel bread boxes typically sell for between $70 and $150, depending on condition, color, and rarity.
7. Dansk Kobenstyle Casserole Dish
Look for this rare mid-century modern Danish enamelware casserole dish in your cabinets. You can spot it by its Dansk’s iconic Kobenstyle design elements and a vibrant yellow enamel exterior contrasted with a white enamel interior, creating that classic Scandinavian look.
The Dansk Kobenstyle, designed in 1956 by Jens Quistgaard, is recognizable for its high-gloss colors, welded cool-touch sculptural handles, and inventive lids that double as trivets. Vintage Kobenstyle pieces in good condition can command $100-400, depending on size and condition.
8. Rare Green Chrysolite Swirl Tea Steeper Enamel Cup
This one is a rare and distinctive green “Chrysolite” graniteware tea steeper cup with a handle and a lid, featuring a beautiful white swirl/marble pattern. You’ll also see the characteristic glossy finish of enamelware with good weight.
The green Chrysolite color pattern is considered rarer than the more common blue and white swirl patterns in American graniteware, making this piece valuable.
9. Vintage Monterrey Western Ware Enamelware Coffee Pot
A Monterrey Western Ware enamelware coffee pot from the 1950s-1960s, featuring a bright yellow body with brown trim and a classic Western-themed decoration with a cowboy hat and lasso design.
The conical shape with ridged detailing at the bottom is characteristic of the brand’s style. The company is particularly known for its cowboy-themed dinnerware sets using Western motifs like cowboy hats, lassos, and chuck wagon scenes.
These coffee pots typically fetch $150-$200 individually, with this specific example priced at almost $160. Complete sets can command much higher prices.
10. Kockums Enamelware Bowl Set (Sweden)
This particular Sun Moon pattern is likely from the 1970s, when Kockums Jernverk and other Scandinavian manufacturers created more colorful, graphic designs to compete with plasticware.
This example is a set of three graduated mixing bowls featuring a vibrant blue background with decorative yellow/gold sun and moon motifs. The bowls have white interiors and display a characteristic enamel finish with smooth, rounded forms.
These bowls are considered quite rare in today’s market, especially as a complete set, justifying the value of almost $150 for this piece.
