Patent Vase

Find many varieties of an authentic patent vase available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of ceramic, porcelain and metal, every patent vase was constructed with great care. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer patent vase, there are earlier versions available from the 19th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Each patent vase bearing Victorian, Art Nouveau or Mid-Century Modern hallmarks is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made patent vase over the years, but those crafted by Royal Doulton, Avedis Baghsarian and Belle Kogan are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

Prices for a patent vase can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $348 and can go as high as $2,875, while the average can fetch as much as $638.

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.