Updated
The right vase depends less on the room than on what goes in it. A single stem needs a narrow opening to stand upright; a loose bunch needs a wider mouth; a branch needs height and weight at the base. WENSHUO ceramic vases run from 7 cm bud vases to 36 cm statement pieces, and all of them hold water for fresh flowers. Many belong to our Asian wabi-sabi series: muted colours, hand-finished surfaces and the small irregularities of handwork. This guide sorts them by size and opening.
Quick guide: sizes and what they are for
| Type | Sizes in the collection | Good for | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bud and mini vases | 7–17 cm tall; openings 2.2–6.5 cm | One to three stems on a desk, shelf or bedside table | TANÉ Mini Vase (10–12.9 cm, three shapes) · Pure Mini Vase (11.8 cm) · Clot Ceramic Vase (7.3, 11.6, 17.3 cm) |
| Small vases | 15–21 cm tall | A small bunch on a dining or side table | Wide-mouthed Vase (15.5 cm) · Grab Paper Bag Vase (15.6 cm) · Tourou Lantern Vase (16.5 cm) · Double-Handle Vase (18 cm) · Crink Paper Bag Vase (20 cm) · Three-Handle Vase (21 cm) |
| Tall, narrow vases | 20–26 cm tall; openings 4.8–7.3 cm | A single branch or a few long stems | Ribbed, Droplet-Textured and Bark-Textured vases (Large and Small) · Natureform Vase (24.8 cm) |
| Large vases | 22–33 cm tall | Branches and full arrangements on a sideboard or the floor | Twist Vase (25, 32.5 cm) · Sculptural Face Vase (28 cm) · Rounded Vase (22, 30.5 cm) |
| Hand-thrown studio vases | 22–36 cm tall | A statement piece, with or without flowers | Full Moon (29 cm) · Dappled (23.5, 36 cm) · Golden Swirl (30, 33 cm) · Earthbrush (22 cm) |
Match the opening to the flowers
- Under 5 cm across. Holds one to three stems upright without them falling to the rim. Good for a single poppy, tulip or branch.
- 6–10 cm. A small, loose bunch of five to ten stems.
- 14 cm and wider. Needs a fuller bunch or a few branches to look settled; with too few stems they lean against the rim.
A simple rule for height: let the arrangement rise about one and a half to two times the height of the vase. Short vases suit short stems cut close; tall, narrow vases suit long stems and branches.
Asian wabi-sabi: Stone and Smoky Black vases
This part of our Asian wabi-sabi series is finished with kohiki, a white slip brushed over the clay, in two colours: Stone, a pale sandy white, and Smoky Black, a charcoal with warm flecks. The surfaces are carved in different patterns: ribbed, droplet and bark textures on tall, narrow forms, plus rounded, handled and sculptural shapes. Most come in a Large and a Small size, so two of the same shape make an easy pair. Because the finish is applied by hand, each piece varies slightly.
Small vases and bud vases
Small vases are the easiest to use every day: a few stems from the garden or the market, refreshed every couple of days. The TANÉ Mini Vase comes in three shapes (Slim Upright, Settled Base and Plump Form), and three of them grouped together make a small arrangement on their own. The Clot Ceramic Vase is a near-perfect sphere in three sizes, with openings from 2.2 to 6 cm. The Grab Paper Bag and Crink Paper Bag vases have a crumpled-paper texture in cream ceramic.
Asian wabi-sabi: hand-thrown studio vases
The newest pieces in our Asian wabi-sabi series are hand-thrown in a small studio and finished with textured slips, painted marks or mottled glazes. Several shapes come in two finishes, Powder Glaze and Oxidized Brown. They are made to stand on their own on a sideboard or shelf, and work just as well with a few branches. Each piece is individually varied, so no two are exactly alike.
Caring for fresh flowers and vases
- Fresh water. Every WENSHUO vase holds water. Change it every two days, trim the stems at an angle and remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline.
- Wash by hand. Rinse the vase with warm water and a little washing-up liquid. Use a bottle brush for narrow necks, then leave it upside down to dry.
- Textured surfaces. Wipe carved and slip-finished surfaces with a soft cloth or brush rather than a scourer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put fresh flowers and water in these vases?
Yes. All of our ceramic vases hold water for fresh flowers.
Are flowers included?
No. Flowers and stems in the photographs are for styling only.
Can the vases go in the dishwasher?
We recommend washing them by hand, with a bottle brush for narrow necks.
Will my vase look exactly like the photo?
The textured, kohiki and studio series are finished by hand, so colour and texture vary slightly from piece to piece.
Where are WENSHUO vases designed?
Each piece is designed in Japan and developed and made in China.
Related guides
- Incense, Candles and Diffusers: Choosing a Home Fragrance Piece
- Trays, Dishes and Storage Jars: Finding a Place for Everyday Things
- Ceramic Plates and Bowls: Sizes, Capacities and What Each Is For
See it in a customer's home
- A Twist Vase and Candlelight in a 56 m² Flat
- A Crock Vase, Lemon Tea and an Acacia Bowl in a Sunny Flat
- A Paper Bag Vase Through the Seasons in a Light Living Room
- A Round Table, a Lantern Vase and a Cat in the Sun
More homes: From a customer's home.
Start with these
Stone Ribbed Ceramic Vase
20 and 25.5 cm. For single branches.
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Smoky Black Rounded Vase
22 and 30.5 cm. For full arrangements.
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TANÉ Mini Vase
10–12.9 cm. Three shapes.
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Clot Ceramic Vase
7.3, 11.6 and 17.3 cm spheres.
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Crink Paper Bag Vase
20 cm. Crumpled-paper texture.
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Full Moon Ceramic Vase
29 cm. Powder Glaze or Oxidized Brown.
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