Classice fan vases
Written 10 May , 2010
What does a lady’s common folding fan have to do with the creation of vases? A folding fan when opened has several spines radiating from the bottom to give it its familiar V-shape. It is a very simple object with a very simple function (to cool) and yet has a very interesting structural framework.
Classic and modern fan vases can also create that sort of interest to a lot of people. It is quite different from the typical everyday vases that we’ve grown familiar which are wide at the bottom and narrows down at the top. In fact, the fan vase is just the opposite. It starts as very narrow at the bottom and gets wider at the top where it is pinched together to create a long but narrow opening.
Now how do you get a V-shaped vase to stand upright? It is supported at the bottom by a wide circular base, much like those found in wine glasses. Most of these types are sold as art deco and most come with a high price tag.
The Chinese fan vase is simpler in design and is made from ceramic, porcelain or glass. They sometimes come in block designs and are carved and painted to look like an opened lady’s folding fan, complete with radiating lines. Some of them have no support base and are designed to stand on one of their straight sides. If you take two of these vases and stand them back to back, you will have a pair of colorful bookends to liven up your study area.
Today, fan vases have diversified into various shapes, sizes and functionality. There are clear fan-shaped vases which can be used as wedding centerpieces. There is a type of large fan vase which can be used as a planter for both indoor and out. There is even a fan wall vase which, when hung, can give a plain wall a classy and artful look.
A lot of glass makers like Murano and Griffins are now churning out their versions of the fan vase either through traditional handblown methods or machine-blown. Many fan-shaped vases are still crafted manually using traditional blown glass techniques that are specialized by artisans in Italy, South America and Europe. Some even have air bubbles present to emphasize the nature of the traditional hand crafting process.
Whether you are a traditionalist or into modern art deco, you’ll surely find an eye-catching fan vase to satisfy your taste.