If you collect or sell pottery or glass, chances are good that you have come across a lady head vase or two. These lovely ladies are bust-shaped vases, often wearing a hat, with a hole on top for flowers. Most were made in Japan and imported to the U.S. to be used by florists. Head vases are generally found in the 3.5” to 6.5” sizes. But did you know there are “super-sized” lady head vases? Click on any photo in this article to see a full size photo.

These larger head vases can be thought of as falling into three categories:

• Large – approximately 6.75” to 7.25”
• Extra Large – approximately 7.5” to 9.75”
• Giant – 10” and above

Large

Head vases in the Large category can be found by a variety of makers. Inarco was known for making the same vase in a variety of sizes. The little 3.5” vase pictured first in the group shot below can be found in three other sizes, including a 7” vase valued at approximately $200. This exceptional 7” beauty named Miss New York is considered hard to find. This is not a collectors’ nickname but the actual name given to the vase by the makers. She was made by the Trimont Company and, in addition to the printed words Miss New York on the base, she is sometimes found with a sticker reading Trimontware. Relpo is another company that made many of this sized vase, including many teenagers. Often, Relpo vases feature beautiful women with flowing hair and no hats. Many Large vases sell in the $200 to $400 range, with harder to find vases commanding much higher prices. A rare 7” teenage Relpo vase sold recently on eBay for $1,625.

Extra Large

Among the vases found in the Extra Large category is a platinum blonde vase by Enesco that stands 8.25” tall and is valued at $450. When found with a pearlized finish on her hair, the value increases considerably. An online site specializing in head vases is currently offering a pearlized version of this vase for $1,200. A rare 8.25” vase with pearlized flowers is currently being offered on another online antiques site by a premier head vase dealer for $2,500.

Giant

The fastest growing area of interest among head vase collectors is the Giant category. In general, vases measuring above 10” are difficult to find. A 10.25” Napco vase with flowing hair and the 10.5” Inarco vase with gold hairpiece pictured here are seen more frequently than other Giant head vases. These can generally be found for $300 to $400. The 10” teenage vase shown at the far right in the group photo sells in the $700 range. The delicate fingers are often found broken, making her hard to find in good condition. A very rare 14” Relpo vase sold recently on eBay for an astounding $14,300.

Values

A word of caution about values. Size is not the only determining factor. As with all collectibles, condition and rarity play a major role in the value of the item. Cracks, crazing and paint loss will quickly reduce the value of any head vase, even one in these hard-to-find sizes. But as a general rule, the head vases in these larger sizes are currently a hot collectible and are definitely worth watching.

Photos

7" Trimont Miss New York

10.5" Lady With Gold Hair Piece Marked Inarco E-1068

To get an idea of the size of the Giant vases, compare the standard-sized vases in the group photo to the 10” vase on the far right. The vases in this photo are (L to R) 3.5” Inarco Lady with Original Tag and Flowers, Traditional 4.25” Napcoware Vase With Hat, 4.5” Hatless Napco Lady, 6” Blonde Enesco Lady, 10” Relpo Teenage Vase with Hand.

Featured Sellers

Recently featured sellers in the GPSA in September and October were lan5, jpthings, paddyandmax, putergirlpoodle, roxannesebastian, and shellysthings1. We encourage you to click on their seller IDs and visit their eBay auctions.

by wgpaul Bill

About 100 years ago or so, just about the time automobiles were starting to be developed, there became a need to freshen the smell in the car a little. There were no air fresheners as we know them today so people installed vases in the car and put fresh flowers in them. Some people used silk flowers and a few vases even came with them. There was also an electric flower that ran off of 6 volts that could be installed. Visit this interesting website that deals with car vases.

by wgpaul Bill

Among the loveliest of early 20th century art pottery pieces are those made in the Turn-Teplitz region of Bohemia, in what is now the Czech Republic. The earliest and most well-known company working in that area was the Amphora company. Many well-known designers worked in the Amphora factory, producing high-end Art Nouveau pieces, including Paul Dachsel. In 1905, Dachsel founded his own factory, using his intertwined initials as the mark on his pieces. This gorgeous 8” Dachsel piece sold recently on eBay for $2,190.

Photo courtesy of eBay seller vignettesfla.

It happens every day! You anticipate receiving an item you won at auction. It arrives, and you open the box to see...pottery shards or slivers of glass!

Have you noticed how some auction photos just seem to scream “BUY ME!” while others are so fuzzy and far away you’re not sure what is being offered?

We share a few practical tips on the entire auction experience, from writing the auction, taking the photos, to packing the item to help you get that item safely to your buyer! Our GPSA website offers a more in-depth look at valuable packing and photo tips. Please visit and have a look around!

Depression Glass Reproductions Tips! (continued from last issue) Thanks to marketpl Judy.

• Cherry Blossom
• ALL PIECES listed below - New mould repros
• ALL PIECES - any pieces with crude leaves with SMOOTH outer edges are REPROS.
• Bowl, cereal
• Original: bottom "well" is 2" across.
• Repro: bottom well is 2 1/2" across, and is the same shape as the 8 1/2" bowl.
• Bowl, medium (8 1/2")
• Original: jagged edge leaves
• Repro: crude, smooth edge leaves
• Cake plate
• Original: Lines between arches line up with feet on old pieces.
• Repro: not true, and leaves have too many lines; they look like feathers. Color is paler than original.
• Child's Butter Dish
• None originally made
• Child's Cup
• Lopsided handle
• Cup
• Original: design appears in bottom of cup
• Possible multiple mould repros: some have no design in bottom of cup; some have upside-down pattern
• Plate
• Original: jagged edge leaves
• Repro: smooth edge leaves, also 25% heavier
• Platter - 13" divided
• New platters are much heavier than the old; glass on the bottom is thicker
• Pitchers, scalloped bottom, all over pattern
• Branch on bottom of old pitcher has texture, new is smooth, while cherries on bottom of old pitchers are smooth and new are textured.
• Saucers
• New have an offset mould line edge.
• Shakers
• Uneven pattern on new pieces
• Smaller capacity on new shakers
• New tops almost always mean new shakers
• Tray, 2 handled
• New Tray is heavier than the old; glass on the bottom is thicker.
• Tumblers
• Pattern is weak on the bottom
• Arch separating the pattern from the plain sections is three bands on the old, one band on the new.

No reserve clearance sales, less than TWO DOLLARS!

GPSA sellers are still listing clearance items. All items start at an opening bid of $1.99 or less. Don’t miss this opportunity to pick up a bargain from one of our reliable GPSA sellers! All sellers abide by the GPSA guidelines found on our home page.

Find a bargain! Deals and Steals!

To see Shazaam listings at any time, click here. Check back often — sellers add items all the time!

We’re so happy to have you join us!!

The following eBay sellers became GPSA members in August and September. As members of the GPSA, they have committed to upholding the standards of the Glass & Pottery Sellers’ Association.

white_city_treasures

seniormovingspecialists

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