Antique Vases

A vase is an object that works even when empty. This section gathers floor and table vases in porcelain, crystal, coloured glass and ceramic, from small cabinet forms to large floor pieces that become the centre of a room on their own.

With glass and crystal, check the rim and the base: chips occur there most often and show immediately against the light. Crystal is told by weight and by sound — tapped lightly it gives a long clear tone where ordinary glass sounds dull. With porcelain, look for hairline crazing in the glaze, which appears as a fine net at certain angles.

Coloured glass from Soviet and Czech factories holds its colour for decades and barely fades, which is why such vases more often arrive in good condition.

Height and diameter are given in each listing — check them against your shelf or niche in advance. Sellers will send further photographs on request.