14 Rare Antique Vases Worth Money (Value, Features & More)

You can spot an antique vase by its age, materials, and plenty of other features. But what makes an antique vase rare and a collector’s favorite is the glimpse of the history, art, and culture that it offers!

If you wish to claim at least one rare and specific type of antique vase, then this article is for you! It discusses everything from history, timeline, manufacturer, and patterns of some of the highest-selling and rarest antique vases!

How to Identify a Rare & Valuable Antique Vase

From smooth edges to the maker’s mark, below are some key points to identify a rare antique vase from common ones.

• Engraved, inked, or painted maker’s mark on the base. 
• Visible overmark indicating the vase’s age between 1800 and 1930.
• Imperfect shapes and symmetry of bodies.
• Expensive materials, like porcelain, ceramics, glass, bronze, gold, silver, etc.
• Hand-blown features like slight bubbling in the glass vases. 
• Mold number or collection name on the stoneware vases. 
• Artist’s name or initials on the vase. 
• Owned by a historical figure or a part of a limited edition or discontinued collection.

14 Collectible Antique Vases That Are Worth Your Money

Not all vases are worth your precious money, but the ones included in this list are definitely the most valuable antique pieces from around the world.

1. Chinese Ming Dynasty Vase

One of the highest-selling antique vases worldwide is this rare Ming Dynasty Chinese Vase. This specific item is pear-shaped with a long white neck (tucked in a pearly blue design). The bulb bottom has unique patterns, featuring a bunny and other motifs with special meaning for ancient Chinese society.

Collectible Features:

• Six hand-painted panels all over the vase
• Fully functioning metal mount on the mouth rim
• Ming dynasty marking with the manufacturing year on the bottom
• Matte finish

2. Antique Rare French Sevres Palatial Jardinière Vase

This palace-size beauty from France is one of its kind! This rare antique vase displays a heavy upper body, a thin waist, and a solid base in a square shape. The highlight of this vase is its porcelain body featuring a mesmerizing 360-degree painting surrounded by gilded leaves.

Unique Features to Verify:

• A base with a rotating mechanism used 
• Hand-painted maiden & cherubs all around the body 
• A broad, decorated bronze rim at the mouth
• Signed by artist “Maxant”

3. Gibson & John Langman Sterling Silver Vase

These solid trumpet-shaped silver vases are both delicate and heavy, as they glow with heavy carvings of leaves and flowers in a 3D style. The solid sterling silver composition also makes this exquisite metal vase a high-selling antique.

Collectible Features:

• Intricate floral motifs running all over 
• A round base with a swirling ribbed pattern 
• Detailed decorative pattern with a flared hammered mouth

4. English Late Victorian Porcelain Vase 

This is truly an ornamental piece with a bulb-shaped figure and hand-painted floral patterns in blue and aqua green. The highlight of this late English Victorian vase is the gilt work shining on its edges and outlines.

Unique Features:

• Completely hand-made/designed 
• Swirled handles embossed with golden work on the sides 
• Scalloped top 
• Registered number marked on the bottom 

5. German Dresden Vases Helena Wolfsohn

This 19th-century pair of German Dresden vases is flanked by hand-gilded pastoral imagery on one side and floral designs on the other. These vases were hand-painted at the famous Helena Wolfsohn studio, which alone makes them rare and valuable.

Unique Features to Spot: 

• Sleek neck with round bottom 
• Distinct gold flowery patterns running on the edges
• Rich and broad golden rims on the mouths
• Hand-painted AR back stamp (used in the 1800s)

6. French Faience Wall Hanging Vase

This is an original French Faience antique vase exhibiting two cherubs hanging by green foliage and gazing towards the earth. The hand-painted scenery on the vase displays a lady walking on an empty road, surrounded by colorful figs and flowers.

Notable Features to Verify: 

• Longer than a typical vase 
• Handcrafted and hand-painted with pastel colors
• Highly detailed relief floral decoration made of putti
• The cherub on the left has brown hair, while the right has blonde hair

7. Antique Cut Glass Crystal Vase 

This brilliant-cut glass crystal vase exhibits blooming sunflowers running from top to bottom. You will also see whimsical stars, geometric patterns, elevated dot panels, and diamond shapes on the rest of the vase.

Special Features:

• Wide top and narrow bottom 
• Long body with alternating cut glass patterns of sharp petals, diamonds, stars, raised dots, & geometrical shapes
• Huge flower pattern carved at the base 
• Unique flat tooth-like edges  

8. Rare Moser Bohemian Green Glass Mantle Vase

This Moser glass mantel vase impresses with its uniquely shaped hand-blown body, long ribbed neck, and round bottom. But it’s the ruffled, scalloped mouth shining with golden paint and the detailed gilded floral patterns on the panels that steal the show!

Interesting Features: 

• Five thick glass ribs running across the vase’s height
• Intricate floral and scrolling patterns with golden enamel
• Signs of handblown make like visible bubbles and seams

9. Rare Depression Era McCoy Poppy Planter Vase 

This super rare McCoy Poppy Planter Vase is designed like an exquisite Poppy flower that brims amid green leaves and brown branches right behind it. This vintage piece instantly impresses with its vibrant pink color, detailed floral design, and ultra-glossy shine.

Interesting Features: 

• High-gloss finish 
• Medium-sized mid-century modern style
• McCoy USA marking on the bottom 

10. Fine Rib Amethyst Carnival Glass Vase 

With its decorative features and lustrous rainbow-like color patterns, the gorgeously hued round Fenton vase holds a high value. Besides, it is an original vintage piece from Edwardian Era, and thus, a collector’s favorite.

Special Features:

• Iridescence with six-point flames 
• Amethyst interior 
• Decorative patterns from the Edwardian Era 
• Ruffled, wavy mouth with shiny metallic border

11. Fenton Hobnail Milk Glass Vase 

This Hobnail Milk Glass vase boasts a simple design and milky white surface with a glossy sheen and hobnail pattern. The most attractive feature of this antique piece, however, is its wide mouth with unevenly curved edges at the mouth.

Special Features:

• A small circular base 
• Raised hobnail pattern running from the middle to the lower body 
• Long lines spreading through the lower body and the base 

12. Haeger Arts and Crafts Era Vase

This breathtaking Haeger vase has thrived since the Arts and Crafts era, and is nearly 100 years old. Its glazed turquoise color, satin matte appearance, and unique flared top add class and charm to its quality and, thus, attract a high value.

Special Features: 

• Two square handles 
• Golden diamond-shaped label with the company’s name on the bottom 
• Simple ribbing design from top to middle

13. Art Deco Roseville Pottery Style Vase

A very rare Roseville Pottery Velmoss II Vase in a highly desirable glazing blue color is just what you need to upgrade your collection. It comes with two pointy handles on either side, and its round mouth is surrounded by yellowish-green leaves, enhancing its beauty.

Interesting Features:

• Art Deco style in blue glaze 
• Green and yellow leaves cascading from top to bottom 
• Roseville Pottery label visible on the bottom 

14. Hand-Holding Glass Torch Antique Vase 

The USP of this Victorian-style vase lies in its unique design of a hand holding a torch or horn. The ruffled mouth and patterns on the torch (vase) are decorated with golden gilt. This spotless green glass antique stands on a firm base, which displays intricate floral designs painted in gold.

Attractive Features: 

• Ruffled pattern 
• A few air bubbles in the glass, but no marking

Now that you know how to spot antique vases worth the money, we’re sure you will get the best deals on your next purchase or sale. So, go to your nearest thrift or antique store and get your hands on the most valuable vintage vase today! And if you’re looking for more rare collectibles, check out my rare antique dishes and rare figurines listicles!