French Country · Encyclopedia · Tableware, Kitchen and Decorative Objects
Antique & Vintage Vase
Vases in glass, porcelain and pottery, from Gallé and Daum to Chinese export.
Vases & Art Glass · Indicative US retail $30–$3,000
At a glance
- Family: Vases & Art Glass
- Periods most often found: Art Nouveau glass dates from 1890 to 1914; Lalique from 1920 onward; opaline from 1830 to 1900.
- Typical price: about $150; range $30 to $3,000 and more for exceptional pieces
- What drives value: Maker, signature, technique
What it is
Antique and vintage vases include French Art Nouveau glass by Émile Gallé and Daum Nancy (cameo glass carved by acid in layers), René Lalique's molded glass, Sèvres and Paris porcelain, 19th-century opaline, Baccarat crystal, regional pottery, and Chinese export porcelain. Vases are among the most faked antiques.
How to identify and date it
Signatures should be acid-etched, engraved or molded in the glass, not painted; Gallé signatures after his death in 1904 include a star. Check for chips, cracks, polished-down rims and drilled bases (lamp conversions). Opaline should have a soft, translucent glow and a fire-polished base.
Periods and styles
Art Nouveau glass dates from 1890 to 1914; Lalique from 1920 onward; opaline from 1830 to 1900.
How much is it worth?
On the US retail market, most antique & vintage vase examples ask around $150. Simple or worn pieces start near $30, while documented, signed or exceptional examples can pass $3,000. The main value drivers are: maker, signature, technique. These are indicative ranges, not an appraisal; see our price guide for French antiques for the method.
Questions buyers ask: identify valuable vintage vases; antique vases worth money; vintage vases worth money; antique brass vase value. The answer depends on the points below, which are worth checking before you compare prices.
Before you buy
- Verify signature
- Check for chips
- Look for drilling
Living with it
Group vases by color on a mantel or fill a single one with branches.
How we write these guides: identification notes are general guidance written by French Country; a style name, a region or a resemblance does not by itself date or attribute a piece. Price ranges are indicative US retail asking prices for antique and vintage examples in sound condition (dealers, specialist marketplaces and auctions), estimated and rounded as of November 2026; check recent sold results before relying on a figure. They are not appraisals or offers to buy or sell: condition, provenance and documentation can move a value far outside the range. For insurance, estates or sales, ask an independent, qualified appraiser for a written valuation.