Clarice Ceramic Handbag Vase

Not every vase needs to look like a vase, and this one does not try very hard to. Shaped like a structured handbag with two curved handles arching over a rounded body, it borrows the silhouette of an accessory and turns it into a small piece of tabletop sculpture. Set it on a console with nothing inside and it still holds its own, the kind of object that gets picked up and turned over by guests before anyone asks what it actually is. Fill it with stems and the joke lands even better: a bouquet tucked into a purse-shaped vessel reads as clever rather than novelty, and it pulls that off without feeling like a gag gift that gets shelved after the first week. The proportions are deliberately a little exaggerated, wide enough through the body to keep a real arrangement upright and tall enough at the handles to give the whole piece a sense of lift. It works as the single statement on an otherwise bare shelf or as one voice in a gallery of mismatched objects, since the curved lines soften whatever sits nearby. Because the silhouette is so distinct, it photographs well too, which matters if you like to rotate seasonal flowers. In an entryway, a bedroom corner, or a dining table centerpiece, it earns its spot by being genuinely fun to look at, week after week.

Underneath the playful shape is a fairly serious little vessel. The body is glazed ceramic, kiln-fired for strength, and the interior is fully watertight, so fresh-cut stems go straight in without a liner or plastic insert getting in the way. A weighted base keeps the piece grounded even when a tall, top-heavy arrangement leans to one side, which is the detail that usually separates a vase you trust with real flowers from one that only looks good empty. The glazed finish wipes clean with a damp cloth, and the smooth interior rinses out easily between arrangements, so there is no scrubbing required to keep it fresh for the next bouquet. Style it on an entryway console with a handful of eucalyptus sprigs, let it anchor a dining table with whatever is in season, or set it on a vanity with a small bundle of dried lavender that never needs changing. It holds its own completely empty too, which is unusual for a vase and makes it a low-maintenance styling choice on the weeks you forget to buy flowers. Oak Mercer shaped the curves to catch light differently depending on where the piece sits, so the same vase can look soft in morning sun and more sculptural under evening lamplight, giving one object two distinct personalities depending on the room and the hour of the day it happens to be viewed.

A handbag-shaped vase is an easy gift for the person on your list who already owns enough candles and picture frames, and it works just as well as a treat for your own shelf. Two sizes are available, so you can pick a smaller version for a side table or nightstand, or size up for a console or dining table where it needs to hold its own next to other objects. Both sizes share the same proportions, so a pair in different sizes groups together naturally if you want a small vignette rather than a single piece standing alone. Because the glaze is what protects the ceramic body, care stays simple but worth following: hand wash only, using a soft cloth and mild soap rather than a dishwasher, and avoid sudden temperature changes, such as filling it with ice water straight from a warm cabinet, since rapid shifts can stress the glaze over time. Kept to that routine, the finish stays bright and the surface stays smooth for years of regular use. It is the kind of piece that starts as a fun shelf purchase and ends up being the vase you reach for automatically, because a curved handbag silhouette from Oak Mercer manages to feel appropriate in nearly every room of a home, from a formal entry to a casual bedroom dresser.

• Material: glazed ceramic with a fully watertight interior
• Silhouette: sculptural handbag shape with curved handles
• Holds: fresh-cut flowers, dried stems, or faux florals
• Sizes: two options that pair well together
• Weighted base for stability with tall arrangements
• Care: hand wash only; avoid sudden temperature changes
• Brand: Oak Mercer

Free standard shipping on every order within the United States, with no minimum. Standard delivery takes 5–10 business days. Express delivery is available at checkout for $15.00. Returns accepted within 60 days of delivery.