Antique Vases

There is nothing nicer, more cheerful and uplifting than freshly cut flowers as you enter your home and what better way to display them than in an exquisitely attractive antique vase. Antique and vintage vases do not even need to be used to display bouquets of flowers; they are a beautiful decorative piece in their own right, displayed on a mantelpiece or a simple shelf even without the addition of flowers.

Antique vases are made from a variety of materials including glass, porcelain, ceramic and metal. In some cases it is possible to find wooden vases that have been treated so they don’t rot. There are a large number of styles of antique and vintage vases; there are some particularly nice painted vases, as well as Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco and Art Nouveau antique vases.

History of Vases

Throughout history art has depicted the evolution of human civilisation, the vase in all its forms is reflective of this. Made for the purpose to house flowers in the home, the earliest vases in Ancient Greece documented mythological stories through paintings on the outside of vases. The designs and influences of vases have evolved over the years, an art form in their own right, from traditional shaped vases to more modern vintage vases.

Styles of Antique and Vintage Vases

It is possible to purchase antique vases in a variety of styles, influences include Oriental antique vases, Native American pottery vases, intricate painted Italian vases from the 17th and 18th C, and these are particularly striking vases. Some antique vases may have handles; there are a variety of shapes of vases from bulbous vases to more streamlined antique glass vases. Some popular types of antique vases are detailed below.

Antique and Vintage Cloisonné Vases

Cloisonné is an age-old technique that is used to paint metal objects, whether using enamel or occasionally gemstones and glass. In post 14th C China this technique was used on vases and the technique is still currently used today. There are a lot of nice antique and vintage cloisonné vases to choose from.

Antique Glass Vases

An antique glass vase is nice to display, as well as for practical use, antique Italian glass vases by Murano and Empoli are both colourful and decorative. Scandinavian antique glass vases tend to be simpler although still with pops of colour. In the 18th C glass making was popular in Sweden, a large number of glass vases from around this time would have been produced there. British antique vases can also be very valuable. In the 16th C and 17th C Venetian glassmakers entered England, during this time Britain began to increase its production of glass vases. Older antique glass vases will display signs of wear from use over the years. Earlier antique glass vases may have dirt in the glass or bubbles on the surface; this is reflective of earlier glass making techniques.

Art Deco Antique and Vintage Vases

Bright, bold and colourful Art Deco antique vases make for a charming piece, made from mainly pottery or glass. Painted pottery Art Deco vases may have elements of Egyptian themes in their paintings. Art Deco glass vases tend to be paler, with the pale green Art Deco vase being a very popular choice; a simple bunch of flowers in this vase looks particularly pretty. Art Deco vases are often geometric with zigzag lines. They can be characterised by a narrow base leading into a wider rim often with straight lines and a curved lip.

Other antique and vintage vases of note are the Sheurich vase; a vintage vase made in West Germany from pottery, these vases are often made using bright colours. Art Nouveau antique vases uses curves in their design, often decorated with stylish leaves, flowers and vines. Art Nouveau vases with applied floral or foliage decorations make for particularly attractive pieces, their designs are intricate, made from mental or glass predominately but also pottery. Antique Urns is a type of vase that has a lid so things can be stored inside, such as ashes, usually on a raised platform with side handles.
Whatever style of antique or vintage vase you choose they will look lovely sat in a space within your home.