Collecting Vintage Paper Mache Easter Candy Containers

This post has information about collecting vintage paper mache Easter candy containers. Learn more about these candy containers.

This article was originally published in April 2023 and updated in March 2026.

If you are new to this blog: Welcome! My name is Anna and I share information on collecting antique/vintage items, refurbishing furniture and making small crafts/projects. The purpose of this blog is to show you how to use creativity and vintage items to make your home beautiful. In addition to information on the blog, you can also follow me on the following social media accounts Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.

Back Story

Easter is such an inspiring holiday. We have a tradition of dying Easter eggs, making baskets filled with goodies, and of course, the Easter bunny stopping by for a visit. Traditionally, we have a brunch and give one another Easter baskets.

A number of years ago, someone gifted me a vintage paper mache Easter bunny rabbit candy container.  I was smitten.  Ever since then, I have been collecting these charming vintage candy containers and love to bring them out every spring.  Over the years, my collection has grown and these little candy containers are something I still look for when I am out and about antiquing or thrifting.  Today, I am sharing with you what I know about them so you can build a collection of your own.

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Collecting Vintage Paper Mache Easter Candy Containers

Vintage paper mache candy containers are wonderful to collect for the following reasons:

• They are still relatively affordable
• They are light weight 
• They are easy to store 
• They don’t take up much room
• Alhough they need to be treated with care, they are not breakable like glass or ceramic

Production of Vintage Candy Containers

The vintage Easter candy containers pictured here were manufactured in the 1940s and 1950s and they are made out of paper mache (AKA papier mache) or pulp paper. This basically means paper was decomposed into a liquid form while being mixed with a paste and the resulting solution was then poured into a mold to create the shape of rabbit or egg. Once removed from the mold and allowed to dry, the candy container would become rigid. Finally, they were painted.

The inside of these containers is hollow and was filled with candy! So, if you look on the bottom of these little containers, you will see a hole, which is where the candy went. Similarly, some bunnies have “baskets” on their backs which were filled with candy.

Once the paper form was created, each rabbit was painted. You can spot these American candy containers fairly easily because bright, almost neon, colors were used to decorate them including yellow, pink, blue and green. On occasion, you may stumble across a bunny that is all white.

The idea behind producing these containers is that once the contents were eaten, you could use the container for decoration. 

In the photo above, the two smaller white bunnies were made in the 1940s while the larger bunnies with the bright colors were made in the 1950s. The size of these containers varies -from 3 inches to 11 inches high.

Where They Were Made

While vintage paper mache candy containers were made in a variety of countries, most of the containers were either made in Germany or in America.  However, it is possible to find vintage candy containers made in France, England, Sweden and other European countries. 

German Candy Containers

There are vintage candy containers that were made in Germany (or Western Germany),  These typically have a stamp with the word “Germany”  or “Made in Germany” on the bottom.  Unlike the American counterparts, Easter bunny rabbit candy containers made in Germany resemble a real rabbit and are often painted brown or white.  While vintage candy containers made in Germany are very collectible, they are harder to come by, and much more expensive compared to those containers made in the USA.

American Candy Containers

Vintage Easter candy containers primarily white with splashes of bright colors (greens, pinks, oranges, and blues) were made in the USA.  Usually, the American made candy containers are larger than the typical Easter candy container made in Germany. 

I love to collect these USA made vintage candy containers because they are still affordable, they are light weight, the don’t take up much space and of course, because they are cute. Let’s be honest, it’s mostly because they are cute. 

Characteristics to Look For

Condition

Let me start by stating the obvious, these candy containers are made out of paper. or paper pulp. Therefore, overall condition is the most important characteristic to look for when deciding whether to buy a vintage candy container.  Many of these candy containers have water stains, areas with paint missing, and holes or cracks in the bodies. 

When you come across one of these containers, inspect it carefully to determine its condition. The price should reflect the overall condition of the container including the brightness and preservation of the paint. Closely inspect the “high touch” points of the container where it is frequently handled. 

The exterior of the candy containers can get dirty. (This is understandable given the age of these containers) If this happens, it’s pretty difficult to remove the dirt because the container is made out of paper. Keep that in mind when buying one of these vintage candy containers.

Color

Another characteristic to look for is a variety of color. If a candy container has more than one color, it is more desirable. The majority of the containers have one bright color applied, aside from the painted eyes. Similarly, the colors should be free from stains, chips or cracks.

Size

Finally, the size of the container is another factor to consider. The larger the container, the higher the price. (Assuming it is in good condition). The more commonly found paper mache containers are less than 11 inches in height.

Examples

For example, in the photo below, the 3 larger bunnies are in good condition. There is no water damage, the paint is in good condition and they are relatively clean.

However, the little bunny in the front is missing a fair amount of paint from its ears and front paws. Having said this, I am not a stickler for condition. In my mind, the missing paint adds to the charm and authenticity. However, many collectors do take the missing paint into into account. The small bunny in the front was produced in the 1940s whereas the other bunnies were made in the 1950s.

Where to Find Vintage Easter Candy Containers

This is the fun part! Trying to find these little gems. Obviously, antique stores are a good starting point. There is also a good selection of them available online either through ETSY or Ebay. Below are links to some vintage Easter candy containers I found online.  Before bidding or purchasing any of vintage Easter candy containers, be sure to look at the estimated shipping cost.  One of the benefits of purchasing items from Etsy is that many sellers offer free shipping. 

You can also find these cute vintage candy containers at thrift stores, flea markets and garage sales. However, please look closely at the condition prior to paying for them. Although the price for these vintage candy containers is lower at these locations, the containers may have issues with their condition.  

Vintage Egg Candy Containers

In addition to collecting Easter bunny candy containers, I also am on the look out for unusual paper egg candy containers. Typically, paper egg containers are made in Germany or Western Germany. They usually depict scenes with different Easter bunnies, chicks, and flowers. As with the other candy containers, these eggs were filled with jelly beans, chocolates, and other sweets. To be assured of authenticity, look for a stamp or some mark indicating where the candy container was made.

I was fortunate enough to come across a vintage Easter candy container with a rooster hand painted made in France.

While I have found egg candy containers made in Germany, I had not seen one from France! So, I pretty much bought it immediately. You will also notice in the photo below, a little egg with pink violets covering it. I particularly love the gold trim around the edge of the egg.

Prices of Vintage Easter Candy Containers

Vintage candy containers purchased online or in an antique store start at around $30 and go up. Higher prices depend upon the overall condition of the container, where it was made, quality of color and its size. The vintage egg candy containers generally start at around $20 and go up from there. Vintage candy containers found at flea markets, yard sales, and thrift stores will likely be priced for less. Just be wary of the condition of the container.

Vintage Easter candy containers from online sources are linked below.

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Summary

Having shared all this information, it’s very difficult to find a pulp paper candy container in perfect condition. Based on my experience, there is usually an issue with most vintage candy container, such as chipped paint, a missing portion of the pulp, a crack, or some dirt on the exterior. As stated earlier, I don’t mind imperfections since they add to the character and authenticity of the piece. These flaws are also some measure of reassurance that I am not buying a recent reproduction.

Thank you for stopping by the blog today. I hope you found some inspiration and gained a bit of knowledge with regard to these vintage candy containers. 

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