Vase facts for kids

A vase is a container, often shaped like a cup or bottle, that people use for holding flowers. Vases can also be beautiful decorations in homes, schools, or museums. They are made from many different materials, like shiny glass, smooth ceramics (which are like pottery), or even metal. Some vases are decorated with colorful paintings or cool designs, while others are kept plain and simple. Vases have been an important part of culture in many countries for thousands of years.

A beautiful Chinese vase.

What Vases Are Made Of

Vases can be crafted from many materials. The most common ones are ceramics, like clay or porcelain, and glass.

Ceramic Vases

Ceramic vases are made from clay that is shaped and then baked at very high temperatures. This process makes them hard and strong. Different types of ceramic include:

• Pottery: This is one of the oldest ways to make vases. People have been making pottery vases for thousands of years.
• Porcelain: This is a very fine and delicate type of ceramic, often used for fancy vases. Many famous Chinese vases are made of porcelain.
• Earthenware: This is a more common type of ceramic, often used for everyday vases.

Glass Vases

Glass vases are made by heating sand and other materials until they melt into a liquid. This hot liquid glass can then be blown or molded into many different shapes. Glass vases can be clear, letting you see the water and flower stems, or they can be colored and decorated.

A Look at Vase History

Vases have a long and interesting history, going back to ancient times.

Ancient Vases

In ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, vases were not just for flowers. They were used to store food, water, oil, and even the ashes of people who had passed away. These ancient vases often had amazing paintings that told stories about gods, heroes, or daily life.

• Greek Vases: Ancient Greek vases are famous for their detailed paintings, often showing scenes from myths or sports.
• Roman Vases: The Romans also made beautiful vases, sometimes from marble or glass, and used them for both practical purposes and decoration.

Vases in Asia

In countries like China and Japan, vases have been a very important art form for centuries.

• Chinese Vases: Chinese porcelain vases, especially those from the Ming and Qing dynasties, are known worldwide for their beautiful blue and white designs and intricate patterns. They were often made for emperors and wealthy families.
• Japanese Vases: Japanese vases are often used in traditional tea ceremonies or for arranging flowers in a style called Ikebana, which is an art form itself.

Vases Today

Today, vases are still very popular. While they are mostly used for flowers, they are also seen as works of art.

• Decoration: Many people use vases as decorative items in their homes, even without flowers. They can add color, shape, and style to a room.
• Art and Collectibles: Some vases are created by famous artists and can be very valuable. People collect them as art pieces.
• Gifts: Vases filled with flowers are a common gift for special occasions like birthdays, holidays, or to cheer someone up.

Vases show us how people from different times and places have used their creativity to make beautiful and useful objects.

Images for kids

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  A Neoclassical vase from around 1790, made of jasper. It is 25.4 cm tall.

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  A Roman calyx krater (a type of vase) with carvings of dancing figures, from the 1st century AD. It is 80.7 cm tall.

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  A Maya codex-style vase showing a mythological scene, made between the 7th and 8th centuries. It is 19 cm tall.

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  Two Chinese flasks with dragon designs, made between 1403 and 1424. The left one is 47.8 cm tall, and the right one is 44.6 cm tall.

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  An example of Delftware, a type of tin-glazed pottery, from around 1690. It is 72.4 cm tall.

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  A Rococo style vase from around 1761, made of soft paste porcelain. It is 24.1 cm tall.

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  Neoclassical vases with covers, made between 1784 and 1795 from soft-paste porcelain. Each is 47.6 cm tall with its cover.

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  A French vase with a cover, called "vase des âges," made in 1788 from soft-paste porcelain. It is 49.5 cm tall.

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  An Art Nouveau vase with clematis flowers, created by Émile Gallé around 1900 in Nancy.

See also

In Spanish: Vaso (alfarería) para niños