The vintage white whale of many collectors is back! The Lenox Spice Village, a charming collection of hand-painted miniature spice canisters, is making a comeback after 35 years. Originally released in 1989 by Lenox, the New Jersey-based company known for its exquisite china (including presidential china for Wilson, Roosevelt, Truman, Reagan, Clinton, and Bush, as well as the 2019 Met Gala), the Spice Village was a unique and delightful collection. Each palm-sized canister, from allspice to thyme, was meticulously hand-painted to represent the contents: delicate foliage adorned the bay leaves, purple blooms graced the garlic, and the saffron’s shingled roof perfectly matched the color of the spice.
The Spice Village was initially part of a larger kitchen collection called Lenox Village, which included a flour “Bake Shop,” a three-townhouse butter dish, and a sugar “Sweet Shoppe.” The collection was sold on a subscription basis, with a new home arriving in the mail each month for $15. Unfortunately, the collection was retired in 1993.
During the pandemic, the Spice Village experienced an unexpected resurgence in popularity. Collectors and design enthusiasts alike fell in love with its charming aesthetic, transforming this once-kitsch item into a sought-after collectible. Individual spice homes, such as garlic or tarragon, now sell for upwards of a hundred dollars on online resale platforms like Etsy. A complete and pristine set, including the display rack, can easily fetch a thousand dollars.
Lenox has listened to the fervent pleas of collectors and fans. After 35 years, the Spice Village collection is back in production and open for preorders. Mindy Bryant, a collector from Asheboro, North Carolina, who owns the original 1989 set, shares her excitement: “I found it on Facebook marketplace,” she says. “A very sweet older lady who only lived two hours away from me was selling it for only $150. I messaged her immediately to claim it and I made my best friend come with me the next day to go pick it up. I felt like I one a once in a lifetime prize.” Her collection also includes the matching napkin holder, recipe box, and a set of candlesticks.
However, the reissue has sparked mixed feelings. Mindy admits, “I have mixed feelings about the reissue. On one hand, I think it’s fantastic that it’s being offered at the original price for those who haven’t been lucky enough to locate an original. On the other side, I’m slightly jealous of everyone who is able to just go buy it right out because I searched so long for mine.”
Maitri Mody, known online as Honey I Dressed The Pug, had been actively searching for an original Spice Village but struggled to find a complete set within a reasonable budget. “These are in high demand,” she explains. She decided to purchase the reissue, embracing its instant gratification. Mody believes the Spice Village perfectly embodies her “dopamine decorating” approach to interior design: “I definitely plan on using mine, I love items that are both fun and functional.”
The new Spice Village will start shipping in the spring of 2025 at the same price they were sold in 1989. Currently, only the 24-piece Spice Village is available for pre-order, both as a complete set and individual pieces. There is no monthly subscription required. The only challenge now? Convincing your significant other that this charming collection deserves a place in your home!
