How to Collect Vintage Head Vases

Head vases, or floral containers that were shaped like a woman or a girl's head became very popular after World War II. They are also known as lady head vases. These collectible pottery vases shaped like a beautiful woman or a young girl's head were filled with flower arrangements.
Because of their popularity many ceramic studios produced head vases with popular figures on them including pin-up stars, Hollywood actresses, religious figures, young girl's, and manufacturers often named the vases or did series of vases. It would be unusual to go into a home in the 1950's and not find one of these popular collectible head vases.

Pottery head vases are one of the top collectibles with many flea markets and antique shows devoted to this fun collectible. The rarer vases can go for many thousands of dollars. Unique vases have costume jewelry adorning the necks and ears of the vases. As with any other collectible rarity and condition effect price. If you've wondered about the value of your pottery or collectible vase almost every antique has a price guide.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A love of kitsch
• Time to collect
• Budget for collectibles
• A love of pottery or collectible vases

1. 
   A lady head vase-Mitzi

   What are head vases? Head vases are pottery planter "heads" or busts that florists starting using after World War II. These popular pottery planters were designed to look like a beautiful woman, a Hollywood actress, a young girl or a popular figure of the day. Today they are not used as planters but have become a popular collectible for vase collectors, pottery collectors, 40's or 50's collectors or collectors of kitsch.

2. 
   A price and identification guide on head vases

   Unless you've already started a vase collection and know what you would like to collect do some research. You can begin on an auction website like eBay and do a search for pottery head vases or collectible head vases. You can also visit the library, there are many books on pottery head vases that will tell the collector what to look for and the styles, colors and forms that are collectible. Price guides will also help. Price guides will list collectible head vase manufacturers and styles. There are many reputable websites and collectors clubs that would be happy to share information with you about these fun pottery head vases. When you are well-researched on your collectible its time to start your collection.

3. 
   A beautiful lady head vase

   Visit garage sales, flea markets, auctions, estate sales and antique malls. These are all good places to find this unique pottery collectible. Friends and family might have one or two tucked away in the garage or attic.
   Condition and rarity affect price. Collectors grade pottery head vases so expect to pay more for a head vase that is graded higher. You can expect to pay from a low of $10 to a high of thousands of dollars for a head vase. Manufacturers of head vases include Enesco, Rubens Originals, Ceramic Arts Studios, Napco, Inarco and Betty Lou Nichols. Each manufacturer is known for their particular style. And some manufacturers did sets of head vases to encourage pottery collecting.

4. Like all collectibles keep lady head vases out of direct sunlight. Refer to a price guide or an identification book for cleaning instructions. But in general use a gentle cleaner and don't submerge your head vase in water.

Tips & Warnings

• With any collectible its easy to get carried away, having a budget for a collection is a good way to reign in your spending.
• Some collectors collect sets or stick to one manufacturer.
• Buy what you love and display your head vases where you can see them.
• Because of their popularity as a collectible there are many companies that try to pass off reproductions as originals. Do your homework and don't buy a reproduction, they have little value.

Resources

• Head Vase Museum
• Collecting Head Vases
• The Encyclopedia of Head Vases
• Head Vases Identification and Value
• Lady Head Vases

[shenandoah]

on 8/9/2009 I love these head vases! I've got two contemporary versions and always get a reaction when people see them for the first time, with fresh flowers coming out of the head. 5*

[happymaker]

on 6/27/2009 I didn't even know those existed! I love retro kitsch. 5*

[joycetmann]

on 6/9/2009 I have a sinking feeling I sold a really nice head vase at a yard sale for pennies. Ouch. Good tips on how to collect head vases. 5*

[insidestory]

on 2/13/2009 I love these! I have one, someone game me 20 years ago. Thanks for reminding me to look for some more.

[maryellen1001]

on 2/5/2009 Very interesting!!