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Do you have any vases in your house or apartment? Vases are one of those items that are extraordinarily diverse. There are tall, short, fat, and thin vases. There are vases of varying textures and colors. There are new vases, old vases, store-bought vases, and homemade vases. What is the most expensive vase in the world? That was a 600-year-old vase from the Ming Dynasty. In May of 2006, a Las Vegas resort developer purchased it for over $10.1 million (USD)!

While we will probably never own a vase worth $10 million, vases have become a major component in homes around the world. We can place them in numerous places, ranging from coffee tables to dining room tables; and from windowsills to mantels. While we can enjoy the splendor of vases themselves, adding real or artificial flowers can enhance their beauty. This provides an added dimension that other types of decor lack.

Today, we can use both standard and contemporary wall vases to beautify our homes. However, when did the history of vases begin? Before vases existed, our Neolithic cavemen ancestors created primitive types of containers. For instance, they would use pieces of wood or stone that they had hollowed out, animal skin bags, or baskets. No wrought iron containers existed at that time. 

Ode to a Grecian vase
Within time, the Greeks began producing vases, during the 6th to 5th centuries BC. This was the most complex and most preserved types of ceramic product that ancient people produced during that time. The most outstanding vases during this era were those that the Athenians produced, as well as those from the surrounding region of Attica. In the 6th century, potters from Attica discovered that infusing red ochre (red-orange) into clay can create an inviting warm shade to a pot’s bland surface. This resulted in the creation of both the black-figure method and then the red-figure method.

Then in the middle of the 6th century BC, ancient vases got a makeover. Painters used black silhouettes to portray various scenes from Greek mythology. Before vase producers would bake the vase in an oven, they would paint it using a mixture of clay rich in iron, and potash (white powder from the ashes of burnt wood).

Red is the new black
Within time, vase painters became quite adept using this technique. This proved that pragmatism existed before the creation of cast resin wall dcor. However, as you might imagine, light details on black figures are somewhat awkward. Then after roughly 530 BC, the figures were highlighted in the vase’s natural color. Thus, the red-figure method was born.

This new style became the dominating one in the world of ancient vases, from roughly 530 BC to 480 BC. It allowed the unclothed mythical ancient heroes to appear more natural, as the vase’s red-brown color matched the skin tone of Mediterraneans. Some added details created the appearance of clothing on the heroes, or enhanced their limbs.

Drinking, cooling, and storing
What was the function of ancient Greek vases? This pottery consisted of numerous basic shapes. Each of the vase shapes served a particular purpose. For instance, some of the usages of the vases included:

    pouring and drinking 
    cooling or heating liquids
    storing olive oil or wine

Basically, craftsman produced these vases. Those who constructed and painted the vases had a lower social status than sculptors or painters. However, by the 6th century BC, the potters received due credit for their work. An imprint of black letters indicated the potter’s name on the vase. Sometimes the painter’s name was listed on the vase as well. In situations as extraordinary as viewing modern wall sculptures, one person was both the vase’s potter and painter.
 
From yesteryear to today
Today, you can use traditional or contemporary vases as part of the wall decor in your home.  Here are some tips:

1. Enhance paintings (or mirrors)
Use metal wall vases to enhance paintings. Flank the painting with a wall vase on either side. You can also fill the vases with flowers that complement the colors in the room. The flowers can be either real or manmade. Regardless of which flowers you use, they will certainly enhance both the wall vases and the room in which they are contained.

2. Use wall vases as wall pockets
You could also use wall vases as narrow wall pockets. Place one wall vase above another one. Then place trailing vines into the vines. This will create a lovely effect. The vines from the top vase will flow down towards the lower vase, and interlock with its vines.   

3. Create a focal point in the room
Items such as hanging wall vases can create a room’s focal point. This mirrors the effect of a focal point in a painting. Here are just some of the options that you have. A huge metal wall vase can become the focal point on a wall. Use greenery such as ivy, to complement the color of the room. Another method is to place the wall vase in the middle of the room, and then use various metal art to encompass it. Be certain that the metal art complements the style of the vase.
 
4. Enhance the region around a window
Windows provide us with two marvelous gifts from nature: light and air. However, you can take various steps to embellish further the window’s appearance. For instance, consider using wall vases around windows. The natural colors of the vases complement nearly all types of hues and patterns in a room. In addition, you could add some ivy to the vases, to enhance further their beauty.

Throughout human history, vases have served as both functional and ornamental pieces for human beings. Today, that tradition continues with the use of wall vases. Various types of wall vases, such as metal wall vases, can help to add aesthetic value to any room in your home. By following some guidelines, you can master the ins and outs of wall vases!

Tags: modern wall sculptures | modern wall sculptures | cast resin wall dcor | cast resin wall dcor | hanging wall vases | hanging wall vases | metal wall vases | wrought iron | wrought iron