Antique Vases

Old things of beauty

Antique vases have defining features which are very human-like. These features are the base, the body, the shoulder, the neck and the lip which all refer to stylization of the pieces. All these attributes can be seen in the image below. Many vases had handles and some had a tiny pouring spout, which occasionally classified the vase as an antique jug.

Antique flower containers

The vase has long been in use as a container for cut flowers. Flower containers tend to be richly ornate in design, almost as if the vase wishes to compete with the beautiful flowers held within it. Most usual is for it to be made from glass but other materials like ceramics, crockery and stoneware have also been used.

Antique vase types

Thick ceramic pots are often used in the furnace to hold the molten glass before blowing. The furnace heat is in excess of 1,000° Centigrade. Decorating and coloring the vase is an art form and was practiced by the ancient Greeks who depicted scenes and engraved images on their vases to enhance their beauty.

Lady Head

Lady head vases are durable and sturdy and because of this many of them still exist today. They are an inexpensive antique vase to purchase for new collectors. They were very popular in the mid twentieth century but can still be bought today in any good antique store (who should have a selection of sizes available). Lady head vases were manufactured in large quantities, styles and colors and are attractive aged pieces.

Fostoria bud vases

Fostoria bud vases an be acquired in antique stores quite cheaply (some are less than $10) and can be identified by their light olive green color (although other colors do exist)and the usual height is 6 – 8 inches tall.. They may have embossed pictured coins near the top of the vase as a form of decoration. The most popular Fostoria bud vases are of the American and Colonial styles. Care is needed with antique vase so choose your floral arrangement carefully e.g. Use loose flower stems for larger bowls which have narrow necks.

Oriental vase antiques

Oriental vases are extremely valuable and collectible but difficult to find. Vases reflect the ancient craftsmanship that no longer exists today. A Chinese carved Mei Ping vase of the Ming Dynasty (14th to 17th centuries) would be a rare find. There are many shapes of Ming Dynasty vases and aside from Mei Ping there were bottle vases plus pear shaped vases Oriental vases are designed to stand by themselves or perhaps to hold your own particular floral arrangements. Oriental wooden vases, handcrafted in Thailand, are made from high quality mangowood or bamboo. Wooden vases give a natural look to any scene and are extremely decorative and quite unusual.

Sung, Tang and Qing Dynasties

It is believed that blue and white ceramics originated in the13th century and the earliest pattern used was floral in nature (dragons were much later). Blue-and-white porcelain vases from China (circa 13th century) are collector items. Replicas are numerous and quite expensive but they retain all the features of the original pieces and are stunningly beautiful too.

Antique Waterford Crystal vases

Waterford Crystal are famous lead crystal glassmakers based in Waterford, Ireland. They manufacturer unique pieces of decorative glass some of which, in time, which will be unique collectors items.

Waterford Glass Vases

Waterford glass has a high lead content which causes the glass vase to sparkle. The best crystal in the world has come from the factories in Waterford and if you possess a vase of two they could become valuable antiques given time.

See a famous antique vase at the Corning Museum

The Corning Museum of Glass, in New York, provides a very comprehensive history of glass antique bottles and vases and is well worth a visit as the museum is considered to be the best in the ‘glass’ world. The famous Rakow Research Library is housed in the museum. Antique vases of every kind can be viewed there. if you get to the Big Apple on vacation (or even if you live there) you should include a visit to the museum on your itinerary. You will not be disappointed.