Urns
1880s English Victorian Antique Urns
Porcelain
Early 2000s American Gustavian Urns
Ceramic
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Urns
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Urns
Porcelain
19th Century French Louis XVI Antique Urns
Siena Marble
1830s Italian Grand Tour Antique Urns
Porphyry
1940s Danish Art Nouveau Vintage Urns
Sterling Silver
19th Century European Antique Urns
Metal, Pewter
Early 20th Century Urns
Glass
2010s Malaysian Modern Urns
Copper
1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Urns
Stoneware
20th Century Spanish Baroque Urns
Earthenware
Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Urns
Silver
20th Century Urns
Porcelain
19th Century French Antique Urns
Porcelain
1960s Taiwanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Urns
Metal
Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Urns
Glass
1870s French Islamic Antique Urns
Bronze
1880s English Antique Urns
Silver Plate
Late 19th Century French Rococo Revival Antique Urns
Bronze, Ormolu
19th Century English Regency Antique Urns
Tôle
20th Century Urns
Sterling Silver
19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Urns
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 20th Century German Neoclassical Urns
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Urns
Blown Glass
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Urns
Silver
1840s German Chinoiserie Antique Urns
Faience
1810s French Antique Urns
Gold, Bronze
Mid-19th Century French Classical Roman Antique Urns
Iron
20th Century Industrial Urns
Iron
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Urns
Alabaster
1890s Danish Neoclassical Antique Urns
Marble
Late 20th Century American Other Urns
Shell, Porcelain
18th Century Chinese Antique Urns
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French French Provincial Urns
Terracotta
Mid-20th Century Unknown Post-Modern Urns
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Art Deco Urns
Ceramic
1870s French Egyptian Antique Urns
Ormolu
19th Century French Neoclassical Revival Antique Urns
Bronze
Late 19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Urns
Bronze
Late 19th Century Spanish Napoleon III Antique Urns
Terracotta
19th Century French Charles X Antique Urns
Bronze, Ormolu
2010s Malaysian Modern Urns
Copper
2010s Malaysian Modern Urns
Copper
19th Century Victorian Antique Urns
Silver Plate
2010s Malaysian Modern Urns
Copper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Art Deco Urns
Ceramic
1910s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Urns
Earthenware
2010s Swiss Post-Modern Urns
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Urns
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier Cypriot Classical Roman Antique Urns
Limestone
Early 19th Century French Antique Urns
Bronze, Ormolu
2010s Classical Roman Urns
Resin
Mid-20th Century Islamic Urns
Copper
19th Century Chinese Antique Urns
Enamel
Late 20th Century American Urns
Ceramic, Paint
2010s Malaysian Modern Urns
Copper
20th Century Greek Urns
Terracotta
Antique and Vintage Urns for Sale
Decorative vases and antique and vintage urns are statement objects for the home that can date back centuries. Ranging from pieces with intricate, hand-painted details to more minimal forms with abstract shapes, decorative vases and urns come in a range of styles and sizes.
An urn is a type of vase that typically has a cover, a narrow neck and a round body, sometimes with a footed pedestal. However, when a vessel is called an urn, this often denotes its purpose rather than its origin or shape. One of the urn’s most crucial roles was and remains to be to hold the ashes of people for funerary rites. Another type of urn is adorned with figures that tell a story or show a scene.
Some of the earliest vases were formed from clay or metal-like bronze. Mesopotamians used them not only for decoration but also for storage. In ancient Greece, vases and urns frequently depicted stories from mythology, showing images of the gods and heroes. In ancient Egypt, vases such as the amphora had ceremonial purposes.
Over time, vases grew in popularity among artists as a different kind of canvas for expression. Unlike many of the ancient examples, these vases were not always functional but instead made for a striking addition to one’s decor. Even a plain, solid-colored vase can add color or style to a room. Metal urns are elegant additions to your living room or foyer rather than outside, unless you’re partial to the alluring weathered patina that is expected to characterize an antique cast-iron garden urn.
Every interior designer will tell you that decorative objects are what make a house a home. Decorative objects trumpet the homeowner’s personality while bringing a room to life. For designers, they present an opportunity to express their creative vision.
When looking for a decorative vase, it’s important to note the design and also the size and shape. Decorative vases vary from those with a wide base to those with long slender necks. Browse decorative vases and an extensive ceramic urn collection on 1stDibs.