The Valuable Vintage Vase To Hunt For At The Thrift Store (It Has So Many Colors & Styles)

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

The next time you're walking down the glassware aisle at Goodwill, you may want to take a second look at that tall, asymmetrical, orange glass vase you spotted — it could be a valuable vintage swung vase. These vases have been known to sell for anywhere from $5 to $15 at the thrift store, depending on the size. Certain styles, colors, and brands can be resold for hundreds to even thousands on websites like eBay. They are truly a great example of stunning vintage glass you should always snag from the thrift store.

You might be wondering, "What the heck is a swung vase?" These vases have a standard base but feature narrow fluting and an exaggerated lip on one side of the opening. Swung vases are formed in a mold and then swung upside down before fully cooling to create their distinctive shape. Because of this manufacturing process, each swung vase has subtle variations that make it unique.

Swung vases became a popular decor trend during the mid-century period due to their dramatic shapes and bright colors. Their popularity began in the 1960s and lasted through the 1980s, largely because of these bold design features. The most well-known swung vase producers during this time were Viking Glass Company, L.E. Smith, and Fenton Art Glass Company. Today, besides functioning as a beautiful vase, they work well as a mid-century modern conversation piece for your home and could potentially be worth quite a bit of money. That's why it's important to know what an authentic swung vase looks like.

Spotting a vintage swung vase in the thrift store shouldn't be too hard a prospect considering that they stand out among vintage vases with their dramatic look. You will only need to distinguish an authentic piece from modern reproductions. One of the easiest indicators is that authentic swung vases typically do not have a maker's mark. These vases had paper or aluminum stickers on the base to identify their branding, which, by now, have most likely come off. Another sign of a vintage swung vase is a mold seam on the base that gradually tapers as it moves up the vase.

While swung vases can come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, green is a great color to collect because this vintage glass color is making a trendy comeback and can be more popular if you're looking to resell. Some swung vases were even made with uranium glass, one of the many types of vintage glass pieces that can glow in the dark, making them extremely popular with collectors. You might even be lucky enough to find a swung vase with a hobnail base design, sometimes referred to as a nubby butt. Because of the broad variations of style these vases come in, it's easiest just to keep an eye out for their unique shape and verify it's vintage by the features we mentioned on the base.