Everyone Owned It In The '30s — Now It's Rustic Table Decor We'd Love To Find Secondhand

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

If you love having stunning flower arrangements in your home, you're probably already familiar with the flower frog. It's often made of metal or glass and has a grid, holes, or pins that help flower stems stand in a vase. However, in the early 20^th century, manufacturers began creating more decorative pieces that combined the utility of flower frogs with the elegance of an ornamental vase. When floral foam was introduced after the 1950s, these sculptural vases became a thing of the past and a coveted treasure for thrift-store shoppers.

Major names like Wedgwood, Roseville, and Weller made flower frog vases.  Some have their stem openings at the top, while others are built into the base. Depending on the style, manufacturer, and condition, a flower frog vase can sell for around $25 or several hundred dollars. If you already have the perfect vase and just want a stunning floral arrangement, you can find secondhand plain flower frogs without a sculptural vase for $5 or less.

The beauty of flower frog vases is that they don't need to contain flowers to earn their spot on your shelf. One of the most popular and elaborate flower frog designs was the "dancing lady" vase, which was created sometime in the 1910s. To modern collectors, these vases embody the intersection of Art Nouveau artistry and Japanese culture, including ikebana, an ancient flower arrangement method that embraced the beauty of nature and incorporated flower frogs as far back as the 14^th century.

Dancing ladies are just one style of flower frog vase to keep an eye out for the next time you're at a flea market. Flower frog vases can be glass (including uranium glass and other vintage glow-in-the-dark glass), metal, or ceramic. They can be simple and minimalist or organic and ornate, and come in shapes like birds, deer, fountains, and even actual frogs. Flower frogs are endlessly varied, which means no matter what style your home decor follows, you're bound to find one that's a perfect match.

Transforming a flower frog vase from a charming decor item to a show-stopping arrangement is as simple as sliding flower stems into the openings. Trim the stems at a 45-degree angle to help the flowers take in more water. When it's time to say goodbye to the arrangement, rinse off the frog and air-dry thoroughly. You can soak ceramic frogs to remove any organic buildup.