Where to find unique pieces
When I started to collect hyacinth vases, flea markets were the biggest source. Brocante and antique fairs were soon to follow. At first that took mainly place in Holland. It took some years before I found out that other countries had their own specific vases mostly very different from the ones I had from Holland, so I also went to flea markets, collectors fairs, antique shops etc. in countries such as Belgium, France, Britain and Germany. Scandinavia and North America also have their own typical vases. However, bulb vases sometimes show up unexpected in other countries. I found a nice footed French hyacinth vase on an antique fair close to Milan, Italy and even in Japan I came across a nice British hyacinth vase in an antique shop.
3 Footed French hyacinth vases; left and right vases with enamel floral designs, attributed to Legras. The model is often referred to as: Japonais.
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The ‘Bloembollenglazenclub’ is established in Hillegom, Holland, in 1998. Of about 80 members, 50 meet regularly to discuss bulb vases.
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Dutch Bulb Vase Club
Fellow collectors are also an important source too. By exchanging or buying from fellow collectors the collection can be increased as well. I exchange, sell and buy (also collections of) vases with the goal of improving and enlarging my own collection. In this way, I have acquired several hundreds of spare ones varying from the very simple ones to quite rare, exclusive vases. In the Netherlands exists since 1998 a club of collectors of bulb vases: De Bloembollenglazenclub (The Bulb Vase Club). The members (also from Britain, Belgium and Germany) meet at least one time per year, to listen to lectures and discuss about the subject. Exchanging vases is one of the activities. Correspondence with lots of information is nowadays mainly through e-mail.
at various auction websites
More and more, the internet becomes an important source. Buying on auction sites like eBay and the many local auction sites in different countries, is an easy way (just sitting at the computer) to add interesting examples. However, walking around on a flea market or collectors’ fair and spotting an interesting vase there, is so much more fun!
These are freeblown tall pontilled vases from the USA that often have a relatively small cup and the typically American conical shape.
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This classic type in many colours is thought to be from Germany. The three vases on the right are bigger.
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mass production vs unique pieces
Prices vary from € 1 for very simple, mass produced vases, to sometimes more than € 500 for the very rare, old ones. Of course one always hopes to find one of the last category and pay a low price in the first category, but that rarely happens! Starting a bulb vase collection does not have to be expensive. Many cheap, but interesting vases in beautiful colours can be achieved. It becomes expensive when the targets become more ambitious! Also bulb vases are still manufactured. Several European companies produce them or organise production (often in east European or far eastern countries). The new vases can usually be bought for a few Euros.
don’t be fooled
For the beginner, perhaps a warning is not out of place. Beware of vases that are offered as hyacinth vases but are no hyacinth vases at all. All beginners face that problem. Dealers like to call vases hyacinth vases as they are generally sold for higher prices than ‘normal’ vases This site can, I hope, help you in this respect; especially the chapter about the use and shape of hyacinth vases.
From left to right: Leerdam bulb vases model nr 4 (later:580) and nr 3 (later:583) are known from 1908. The model on the right is far too big for hyacinths and is not found in Leerdam catalogues but could very well have been produced there. The small model on the left is too small to fit normal sized hyacinths but would be excellent as a tulip vase.
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unique hyacinth (bulb vases) and handmade oil paintings
The unique collection of hyacinth vases (bulb vases) belonging to Wim Granneman is for sale, as well as his handmade collection oil paintings, inspired by the vibrant flower bulb fields of the Bulb District (Bollenstreek) in Holland. The vase collection includes many more than shown on this website and is available either per piece or in sets, for instance by country of origin. Parts of the vase collection and oil paitings have been exhibited in various museums.
Interested? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.