fair trade vases

Flowers blossom in wild adventure over the sleek contours of this celadon vase. Thailand's Duangkamol presents this distinguished piece featuring celadon's trademark crackled finish.

This masterfully carved decorative vase from Sarwaedi of Bali was inspired by the Javanese legend of Naga Baru Klinting. The subtle application of paint and gilded accents give the vase the appearance of a treasured antique.

According to the legend, Baru Klinting was a dragon who promised a sage that he could circle the whole Merapi Volcano in Central Java to prove that he was the sage's son, but failed to do so. The dragon used his tongue instead, which enraged the sage, and the sage swung a sword to cut his tongue. The dragon fell to the earth. Then people living near the volcano cut up the dragon's body and took it home to make a feast. Suddenly, a midget appeared and put a stick in the earth, and said that he would take all of the dragon's meat if no one was capable of removing the stick. People tried because they didn't want to lose their chance for a feast, but none were able to do it. The midget then removed the stick from the ground, and suddenly in that spot water started to flood the whole village, turning the village into a spring that is present to this day. Later on, another sage revealed that the midget was the soul of the dragon, enraged with the people that tried to eat his body.

Finely carved in jali or openwork, latticework creates lacy patterns. Gulam Rasool crafts an exquisite vase with dazzling floral motifs. It showcases soapstone's natural colors.

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.

Thailand's Duangkamol conjures a purple universe of hypnotic beauty, which he shapes into an attractive vase. Duangkamol combines classic Celadon ceramic techniques with contemporary styles for the vase's trendy design.

Wisps of delicate blue trace gentle paths across a vase by artisans from the Cooperative of Cantel. Crafted by hand with the blown glass technique, the vase receives an opaque sand-like texture.

Because each piece is handmade, shape and size can vary slightly and tiny bubbles may appear within the glass. This exemplifies the hand-blown technique, making every piece a unique example of blown glass craftsmanship.

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.

A wise little owl with a wide-eyed gaze is the subject of this handcrafted jar from Thatsanee and Ramphan in Thailand. The artisans craft the petite vessel and its lid of celadon ceramic in a soft green shade, and paint the owl's features by hand. Featuring the crackle glaze that is typical of celadon, the jar can be used to store small items or just as a decorative accent.