Antique Vases | Antique Victorian Vases, Decorating your home decor with classic style

 Antique vases make a beautiful accent to an already pretty room, providing a great place to display your real or artificial flowers and dressing up side tables and otherwise bare walls. You can choose antique vases from many different time periods, but some of the most popular are the ones made in the late 1800s.

It's wise, if you're going to decorate with real antique Victorian vases, to be aware of any hazards; these vases are often quite valuable and it can be heartbreaking to see your cherished favorite crash to the floor! Otherwise, consider the following while you're shopping for your perfect accent.

Is it an original? It's very easy to be fooled with a fake. Start shopping for your vase with established dealers who have a good reputation, either online stores or bricks and mortar stores, and learn while you shop how to identify a real antique: patina, makers marks, and quality.

All these can be faked, but the more you know, the easier it is to spot a mistake. Keep your earliest purchases in the lower range of cost, no more than a hundred dollars, until you're comfortable with your own skill at identifying good-quality antique vases.

Is it flawless? Most real antique Victorian vases will show some wear, and that's okay; with the best makers, a little wear adds to the value. In some cases, even a cracked glaze is fine, as some makers used a flawed process that aged poorly over time. A somewhat flawed vase is acceptable. However, if you see chips or pieces missing, or if the vase has been glued together, chances are it has no value and you should not pay for it as if it does. If you still love the vase just for the look, by all means get it, but ask for a substantial discount and expect to get it. A flawless antique vase, on the other hand, stands a good chance of being a fake. You need a happy medium.

Has it been preserved or refurbished? Again, if you're just picking up antique vases for their beauty, refurbishment is fine. But preservation and refurbishment will destroy the value of your vase, so don't expect it to retain value after you buy it.

How well does it match your existing décor, or are you willing to redecorate around the vase? If you have particularly nice antique Victorian vases, decorating around them is the best way to go. Otherwise, you need to be certain it will blend with your current décor without fading into the background. Displaying it on its own dark-grain accent table against a plain painted wall is always going to be the best way to have it stand out.

Can you live without it? If your answer is yes, keep looking until you find those antique vases you absolutely have to have. The last thing you want is to invest a lot of money in a vase, find some that you like better, and suffer from buyer's remorse! There are lots of great Victorian vases out there; make sure you select the ones that you truly love. We hear at VasesByDesign.com want to help you with all your resources and information on finding all your vases for your home.