bit of information I have garnered over the years of collecting these beauties.
Head Vases were originally made to hold flower arrangements sold by florist's shops. Yes, they have
holes in the top of their heads and if they don't they are known to collector's as busts. There were
many manufactured to hang on the wall with a pocket in the back or a small pocket on the top and
today those are referred to as wall pockets.
A large portion of the vases you can buy today were imported from Japan in the early 1950's-70's.
World War II was over and a lot of ceramics were being brought into the U.S. and sold inexpensively
at neighborhood five-and-dime stores such as Woolworths. Oh to have a time machine and be able
to go back and buy a few hundred cases of these babies at 1950's prices!
I have seen copies of the original catalogs that the importers sold their ceramics through and many
of these vases could be purchased by the 6 or 12 pack for a few dollars. Today there are hundreds
of vases that sell upwards of $100-200. each and some of the rarer heads are topping the $10,000
mark!
Head Vases were made in thousands of styles and forms, but I have found that the most popular
vases are models of teenagers and sophisticated ladies. Collectors love the ladies with details--
hats, hands, dimensional eyelashes and jewelry are always popular and the larger ladies that
measure 7 inches and up seem to be in constant demand.
As time went on and manufacturing costs increased the size of head vases decreased and so did
the embellishments. The U.S. did produce some early headvases that are highly collectible today.
Betty Lou Nichols was a talented California artist that created some of the most sought after head
vases in the collecting world, as did Ceramic Arts Studio and Florence Ceramics.
There are several head vases that depict TV and movie personalities, such as the popular Jackie
Kennedy model, Lucille Ball, Grace Kelly, Mitzi Gaynor and Carmen Miranda to name just a few.
Many of the vases were also produced in sets and it is very challenging to try and complete a
set today. You can see some of the rarer heads being collected today and the jaw-dropping
prices they bring here
Maddy Gordon of New York has an amazing collection of lady head vases and I believe it is the
largest in the world at 3000+ vases. She has been featured on HGTV and you can see the photos
of her incredible collection and beautiful home here
Maddy also publishes and edits a newsletter for collectors called the Headhunters Newsletter that
is available 4 times a year for $26.00. If interested:
Newsletter
Attn: Maddy Gordon
P. O. Box 83H, Scarsdale, New York 10583.
Head Vase collecting today has become extremely popular and there is even a Head Vase
Convention that happens every January in Florida. Collectors come from all over the world to
view 4000+ head vases on display for sale and to meet with fellow enthusiasts for the weekend.
Information on the convention is also handled by Maddy Gordon at maddy.gordon@att.net
So now you know more than you ever wanted to about these highly collectible pieces of history.
Be on the lookout--you never know where they will pop up! I have come across lady head vases
at garage sales, estate sales, flea markets, basements, garages, attics, sheds and so on and so
forth. They are definitely harder to find than they used to be, but the search is part of the appeal
and you never know when you may stumble across that certain lady that is worth a small fortune!
9 comments:
YOU ROCK! I ask, you answer, and you answer well! Thank you!
I am sooooo gonna keep my eye out for these in antiques stores now. And if I find any I will keep you in mind. (I can ship them with the cabbage! haha)
I know I have seen them before. I guess I can't remember if I have seen them in someone's home, (ie, grandparents etc.) or in an antique store.
This is very interesting. Thank you for taking the time to do this! You rock Kris.
pam
Hey thanks Pam--nobody has ever told me I rock before! :-)
Kris
what is the best way to sell a collection of head vases?
I have a friend who has thousands of these and wants to get rid of them. Many are valuable. Any ideas of where to sell them besides one at a time on Ebay?
I've been selling some of these head vases on ebay for an elderly lady. I have a person wanting to return one because she claims it's been repainted. It looks exactly like the others just like it that are on ebay for sale. I wonder if she found a cheaper one to buy. Do people actually repaint them - and does that make them worth less?
I was really lucky to found one of this previous vase in a second hand & the price was crazy. $2.00
These are pretty neat things and some are very detailed with the black ceramic lashes. Just acquired a storage unit that has head vases in it. Never heard of them or seen them in my life. I was Born in 1974. There are many different styles and holiday ones in this unit. we get hired to sell off storage units for storage facilities to recoupe some of there lost money. If anyone here is interested in these let me know. Call or text anytime. 616-901-8004 thanks Tim.
MY Mother being 88 years old, has 3 Lady Head Vases which she received from the florist when i was born in 1949. She kept them in the china cabinet and we were NEVER allowed to touch them ..
And yes she received them with small bouquet of flowers in the head ...
thanks and very interesting reading
Marilyn
I’ve grown up with lady head vases. I’ve seen the. In my gram mothers home to then see my mother place flowers from her garden n them. I have collected several of these beauties Love how they make a room
Look more feminine and beautiful then add fresh roses from my garden and they are a sentimental art form to me. The am an artist and love yo I don’t them as well.
Would love to hear and see if any are for sale.
Christine Argo
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