Elephant Terracotta Vase
Vintage 1970s American Chinoiserie Vases
Ceramic, Terracotta
Recent Sales
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vases
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Bohemian Vases
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Austrian Vases
Ceramic, Pottery, Terracotta
People Also Browsed
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Decorative Boxes
Metal, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century European Moorish Architectural Elements
Wrought Iron
Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Decorative Boxes
Brass
Antique 1890s English Neoclassical Dinner Plates
Porcelain
Antique Late 19th Century Brazilian Romantic Chaise Longues
Wood
Antique Mid-18th Century English Georgian Night Stands
Mahogany
Antique 19th Century German Rococo Wall Lights and Sconces
Porcelain, Meissen
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Platters and Serveware
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century English Aesthetic Movement Platters and Serveware
Porcelain
Antique 19th Century English Victorian Sheffield and Silverplate
Silver
Early 20th Century English Chinoiserie Tea Sets
Porcelain
Antique Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Cabinets
Marble, Stone, Brass, Ormolu
Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Pillows and Throws
Gold
Antique 19th Century Italian Tea Sets
Paste, Porcelain
Early 20th Century English Victorian Porcelain
Porcelain
Antique Late 19th Century Indian Agra Metalwork
Bronze
Finding the Right Vases for You
Whether it’s a Chinese Han dynasty glazed ceramic wine vessel, a work of Murano glass or a hand-painted Scandinavian modern stoneware piece, a fine vase brings a piece of history into your space as much as it adds a sophisticated dynamic.
Like sculptures or paintings, antique and vintage vases are considered works of fine art. Once offered as tributes to ancient rulers, vases continue to be gifted to heads of state today. Over time, decorative porcelain vases have become family heirlooms to be displayed prominently in our homes — loved pieces treasured from generation to generation.
The functional value of vases is well known. They were traditionally utilized as vessels for carrying dry goods or liquids, so some have handles and feature an opening at the top (where they flare back out). While artists have explored wildly sculptural alternatives over time, the most conventional vase shape is characterized by a bulbous base and a body with shoulders where the form curves inward.
Owing to their intrinsic functionality, vases are quite possibly versatile in ways few other art forms can match. They’re typically taller than they are wide. Some have a neck that offers height and is ideal for the stems of cut flowers. To pair with your mid-century modern decor, the right vase will be an elegant receptacle for leafy snake plants on your teak dining table, or, in the case of welcoming guests on your doorstep, a large ceramic floor vase for long tree branches or sticks — perhaps one crafted in the Art Nouveau style — works wonders.
Interior designers include vases of every type, size and style in their projects — be the canvas indoors or outdoors — often introducing a splash of color and a range of textures to an entryway or merely calling attention to nature’s asymmetries by bringing more organically shaped decorative objects into a home.
On 1stDibs, you can browse our collection of vases by material, including ceramic, glass, porcelain and more. Sizes range from tiny bud vases to massive statement pieces and every size in between.
Read More
How a Craving for Color Revolutionized Glass
After synthetic dyes changed fashion, home goods and printed matter, it was only a matter of time till glass caught up.
Kazuyo Sejima’s Flowering Tree Blooms Year-Round
The brilliantly simple design turns a modest bouquet into a major statement.
He Wrote ‘Oedipus Rex,’ but Do You Know What He Looked Like?
The Greek tragedian is said to have been handsome in his day.
Cigar Culture Was Once the Peak of Masculinity. Now, It’s a Compelling Curiosity
Even for those who don’t indulge, elegant smoking accessories and audacious art portraying cigar enthusiasts hold a nostalgic allure.
African Travel Plans on Hold? This Ardmore Leopard Vase Brings the Beauty of the Savanna to You
It’s an excellent example of the sought-after ceramics coming out of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.
With a High-Tech Flagship and Cool Collabs, Lladró Is Breaking the Mold for Porcelain Production
Thanks to its new leadership, the Spanish maker of figurines, busts and lighting is on a mission to update the art of porcelain for the 21st century.
Zoë Powell’s Magnolia 05 Vessel Is Handmade from Clay She Unearthed Herself
The free-form stoneware piece is inspired by the magnolia tree and its associations with home.
8 Ways to Breathe New Life into a Space with Plants
The pair behind the Instagram account @houseplantclub share their tips for making any room of the house gloriously green.