Preliminary identification

Pyrex Horizon Blue Mixing Bowl, Model 404, c.1969

Photo reference

3 uploaded photos

Overview

This is a vintage Pyrex 4-quart mixing bowl (model 404) in the striking 'Horizon Blue' solid colorway, featuring a clear, concentric-ringed glass base. Released in 1969 to commemorate the Apollo 11 moon landing, this bowl represents the pinnacle of mid-century American kitchenware design.

Story

Launched in 1969, this 'Horizon Blue' bowl was created to celebrate the historic Apollo 11 moon landing. Its brilliant, space-age blue hue brought the excitement of the cosmos directly into the heart of the mid-century American kitchen.

Maker / Origin

Corning Glass Works revolutionized the 20th-century kitchen by adapting thermal-resistant borosilicate glass—originally developed for railroad lantern globes—into durable, beautiful consumer housewares. Under the Pyrex brand, they combined scientific utility with vibrant, screen-printed designs that became beloved family heirlooms.

Condition & Value

The bowl shows some light scuffing and minor paint loss near the upper rim, but the color remains vibrant with a strong gloss. The clear glass base has typical light shelf wear. Excellent gloss retention prevents a major drop in value.

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

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Market Analysis

Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.

Value Drivers

  • Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • Better-than-average condition for the category
  • Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps
Regional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.