fair trade vases

Add a cultural and modern touch to your home decor with this decorative vase from Peru. Jesús Rivas, working in the tradition of Chulucanas ceramics, handcrafts the vase to feature a tapered neck and wide body, decorated with hexagonal motifs with triangles in black and ivory tones that evoke modern designs. The black color is achieved by firing the vase with mango tree leaves. Inside, the vase is marked with the artist's name, the name of his hometown, and the phrase Hecho a mano (made by hand).

Working in celadon ceramic with its distinctive textures, Duangkamol crafts a finely detailed vase. Golden brown foliage covers the deep green vase in stately symmetry.

Shaped like a heart, this delightful yellow vase is the work of Ghana's Samuel Lovi. He works in ceramic, adding textures inspired by fossils. "This piece tells us how important it is to cherish fossils since they tell us today – in the present – what happened in the past. And they help us speculate about the future," he explains.

The fiery visage of a Ghanaian warrior stares back at the viewer of this clay vase, enlightening centuries of artistic tradition. The dramatic look is completed by three horns crowning his head, perfect for a unique flower arrangement. Internationally famous artisan Samuel Lovi handcrafts this piece in his Ghana workshop.

Clay abounds in the southern part of Ghana; it takes an expert, however, to get the sand thoroughly washed out of the clay. In fashioning this piece, Lovi first prepares and molds the clay. He then fires the molded piece in a kiln at high temperatures, ensuring that it is hardened to the required strength. After cooling, it is hand-painted.

An exercise in skill and patience, this vase featuring a striking eagle motif was handcrafted in the Ghana workshop of Samuel Lovi. Superior technique is evidenced in the fine texture and the fascinating weathered finish in distinctive daffodil and brown tones, resulting from careful preparation of the clay.

Said to be the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment, the Bodhi Tree has great spiritual significance for Buddhists everywhere. The talented artisans Thatsanee and Ramphan from Thailand depict the Bodhi Tree beautifully on this green celadon bud vase. The vase features the crackled finish that is typical of celadon ceramics.

By Samuel Lovi, this dramatic ceramic vase depicts a face on either side. One half is black, the other white as the artisan explores the concept of duality. Three horn-like apertures in the headdress receive dried flowers, and raffia earrings complete the design.

The fiery visage of a Ghanaian warrior stares back at the viewer of this clay vase, enlightening centuries of artistic tradition. The dramatic look is completed by three horns crowning his head, perfect for a dry flower arrangement. Internationally famous artisan Samuel Lovi handcrafts this original piece in his workshop.

Clay abounds in the southern part of Ghana; it takes an expert, however, to get the sand thoroughly washed out of the clay. In fashioning this piece, Lovi first prepares and molds the clay. He then fires the molded piece in a kiln at high temperatures, ensuring that it is hardened to the required strength. After cooling, it is hand-painted with kaolin and oils, providing its distinctive appearance.