You’ve probably seen the name floating around TikTok or buried in a Facebook group for vintage collectors. ZZ Big Top Avon sounds like a circus act or maybe a niche indie band, but it’s actually one of those weird, fascinating intersections of corporate branding and quirky Americana that keeps the resale market alive. If you’re looking for a simple beauty product, you’re in the wrong place. This is about a specific era of Avon’s "Big Top" collection—a line of circus-themed children's products—that has gained a second life among collectors.
Avon isn't just a makeup company. Not really. For decades, it was a lifestyle powerhouse that figured out how to make everyday items, like shampoo and bubble bath, look like toys. The Big Top collection was the pinnacle of this strategy.
The Reality of ZZ Big Top Avon Collections
Let’s be real. When people talk about ZZ Big Top Avon, they’re usually hunting for the 1970s glass decanters. These weren't your standard plastic bottles. We’re talking about glass shaped like seals balancing balls, lions in cages, and clowns with removable hats. The "ZZ" often refers to specific product codes or regional distribution tags used in legacy catalogs, though most casual collectors just know them by the character names.
Why does anyone care? Nostalgia is a hell of a drug. People who grew up in the 70s remember these sitting on the edge of a bathtub, filled with that distinctive, slightly-too-floral Avon bubble bath. Today, those bottles are a staple of the "Grandmillennial" decor trend. They’re kitschy. They’re weird. They represent a time when a multi-billion dollar corporation thought it was a great idea to package soap in a glass elephant.
The market for these items is surprisingly robust. If you check platforms like Etsy or specialized vintage forums, you’ll find that a pristine, boxed Big Top lion can go for triple its original price. But it’s not just about the money. It's about the physical weight of the history.
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The Weird Specs of the Big Top Line
- Materials: Mostly heavy-duty glass with plastic "caps" that doubled as character heads.
- Contents: Usually "Non-Tear" shampoo or bubble bath. Do not try to use the 50-year-old soap. Seriously. It’s basically chemicals and prayers at this point.
- The "Clown" Factor: The Big Top Clown is the most common find, but also the most polarizing. Some find it charming; others find it nightmare fuel.
Most people get it wrong when they think these are just "old toys." They were functional art for the middle class. Avon’s genius was making the mundane feel like a collectible. By the time you finished the shampoo, you didn't throw the bottle away—you put it on a shelf. That’s how a brand like ZZ Big Top Avon survives for fifty years.
Why Collectors Still Obsess Over These Bottles
Honestly, it’s about the hunt. Finding a Big Top bottle with the original paint intact is like finding a needle in a haystack. The paint on the plastic caps was notoriously prone to chipping. If you find a seal with a perfectly red ball or a lion with a bright yellow mane, you’ve found a gem.
There’s also a weird subculture of "Avon Ladies" who kept stockpiles of these in their basements. I’ve seen estate sales where dozens of these items come out of the woodwork, still in their original boxes. The boxes themselves are a trip. The graphic design is pure 1970s—heavy typography, primary colors, and that specific "Big Top" circus aesthetic that felt both magical and slightly grainy.
Spotting a Fake vs. a Gem
Believe it or not, there are "fakes"—or at least, similar knock-offs from the same era. Companies like Fuller Brush tried to mimic the Avon success, but they lacked the specific ZZ Big Top Avon branding. You want to look for the stamp on the bottom of the glass. If it doesn't say "Avon Products, Inc." with the New York address, it’s just a generic circus bottle.
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The glass quality is also a giveaway. Avon used a high-clarity glass that doesn't "cloud" as easily as cheaper competitors. If the glass looks milky even after a wash, it might be a lower-quality imitation.
How to Value Your Collection
Price isn't everything. But if you’re looking to sell, the "ZZ" designation matters because it often points to the specific batch or regional release. Some versions of the Big Top clown had different colored hats based on which year they were released. The blue-hat clown is significantly rarer than the red-hat one.
Don't expect to retire on these. You aren't holding a Bitcoin from 2010. Most pieces sell in the $15 to $45 range. However, if you have a full "Set"—the lion, the seal, the clown, and the elephant—the value jumps. Collectors hate gaps. They will pay a premium to finish a shelf.
Care and Maintenance for 50-Year-Old Glass
If you’ve just inherited a box of ZZ Big Top Avon gear, don't just toss it in the dishwasher. You will ruin the paint. Use lukewarm water and a tiny bit of mild dish soap. Use a Q-tip for the crevices in the lion's mane. If there is still old bubble bath inside, be patient. It has likely turned into a thick, syrupy resin. Soak the bottle (not the cap!) in warm water for 24 hours to loosen it up.
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The Legacy of the Circus Aesthetic
It’s interesting to think about why the circus theme was so massive for Avon. In the 70s, the circus was still a peak cultural event. It represented wonder. By the time the 90s rolled around, the "Big Top" vibe had become a bit creepy to the general public. But in the context of ZZ Big Top Avon, it remains a snapshot of a more innocent, albeit stranger, era of marketing.
The brand eventually moved away from glass decanters because, well, glass and slippery bathtubs are a lawsuit waiting to happen. The transition to plastic in the 80s killed the collectibility. That’s why the older ZZ-coded items are the ones that matter. They represent the "Golden Age" of Avon’s physical design.
What to Do Next with Your Avon Finds
If you’re sitting on a stash of these, you have three real options. You can lean into the kitsch and display them—they look great on a bathroom shelf with some modern plants to balance the "old" look. You can head to eBay, but be prepared for the shipping costs; glass is heavy. Or, you can join a dedicated Avon collector group.
The community is surprisingly welcoming. They don't just talk about the Big Top line; they track the history of the entire company, from the California Perfume Company days to the modern era. It’s a rabbit hole, but a fun one.
Next Steps for New Collectors:
- Check the Bottom: Flip your bottle over and look for the Avon stamp to ensure it's an authentic Big Top piece.
- Evaluate the Cap: If the plastic character head is cracked or the paint is 50% gone, the value drops by nearly 80%.
- Smell Test: If the bottle is still sealed, do not open it. The "original air" and liquid inside actually add value to hardcore collectors.
- Display Logic: Keep these out of direct sunlight. The UV rays will flake the vintage paint off the plastic caps faster than anything else.
Whether you call it ZZ Big Top Avon or just "that weird clown bottle from Grandma's house," these objects are more than just old soap containers. They are tactile pieces of history that prove even the most basic household items can become icons if you give them enough character.