What's Up with the Popular Lenox Spice Village? Here's Why It Is Worth So Much

Sometimes, trends come out of nowhere. One minute, something is collecting dust on a thrift store shelf; the next, it’s commanding a king’s ransom on eBay. Enter the Lenox Spice Village—a collection of porcelain spice canisters that’s become the darling of vintage enthusiasts and TikTok creators alike. We’re talking about you, @AtHomeWithAshley!

What is the Lenox Spice Village?

Picture this: a 24-piece set of labeled, porcelain spice canisters, each resembling an adorable mini dollhouse. These canisters come complete with a free wooden cabinet designed just for them. The collection first appeared in 1989 and was sold through a subscription model where customers received a new miniature house each month over a twenty-four-month period. Originally priced at $19.50 per house (which would be about $50 today), a complete set would have cost around $1,200 in today’s dollars.

Related: This Vintage Cookie Jar Collection Is Proof Of Why You Need To Try Estate Sales

Following its initial success, Lenox expanded the line with additional pieces, such as a Lazy Susan and matching canister sets. However, like many fleeting obsessions, interest waned, and Lenox discontinued the series in 1993. That's right, only four years after it first hit the market. Despite pulling the plug on the spice jars, the company continued producing accessories inspired by the popular houses for a few years following the discontinuation.

Fast forward nearly 35 years and a new generation has fallen head over heels for these quirky spice canisters. Blame it on the rise of cottage-core and granny chic , but people are shelling out big bucks for these 'old' collectibles, especially the rarer or mint-condition ones. (It seems like the vintage shelf itself has become harder to find than the houses, with many having deteriorated or being tossed in the trash over the years.)

As for the actual prices for the Lenox Spice Village today, well those can vary wildly. If you're lucky, you might find a single spice jar for around $10 at a thrift store. But if your heart is set on a pristine, full set, prepare to part with upwards of two thousand dollars on Amazon (yeah, we know...)

Is the Lenox Spice Village a charming piece of collectible history or just an overpriced relic? We’ll leave that up to you. Drop your thoughts in the comments below—are you ready to splurge on some miniature houses, or would you rather leave them in the ‘90s?

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