Under Glass: Antique French Vases & Cloches at BON TON goods

Under Glass: Antique French Vases & Cloches at BON TON goods

There’s a quiet magic to old French glass. Light pools, edges ripple, tiny air bubbles drift like champagne—signs of a hand-blown life. Our latest edit gathers antique vases and cloches that carry that unmistakable softness: generous curves, pale tints, and the gentle waviness only time can teach.

Why French glass? Expect subtle asymmetry, pontil marks, and seeded bubbles, each one a signature of the blower’s breath. Antique French formulations often read as water-clear with a whisper of green or honey. Tall baluster vases, tulip-lipped urns on pedestals, wide bellies for lush arrangements, and bell jars (“cloches”) with soft domes.

The Vases: Easy Drama

Our pedestal and baluster forms are built for abundance, tulips, ranunculus, peonies, branches. The flared throat supports the flowers; the wide bowl lets stems splay and breathe. A few tips we love:

  • Let stems show. The transparency is beautiful—embrace it.

  • Use a simple grid. Two pieces of clear tape across the mouth give instant structure.

  • Go single-variety. One flower en masse (tulips, daffs, or roses) feels fresh and French.

The Cloches: A History of Protection & Display

Born in the kitchen garden to shelter tender starts, the cloche later moved indoors to guard cheeses, pastries, relics, anything worthy of reverence. Today it’s a sculptural cover for:

  • candles (real or LED),

  • a small stack of books or a found shell,

  • seasonal still lifes, a winter pinecone, a spring nest, a summer bloom.
    We love the variety: tall clear bell jars, shorter domes thick with seeded “storm” glass, and rare honey-amber tones that warm a room instantly.

How we curate

We favor pieces with honest age—soft wear to the rim, bubbles, faint swirl lines, and hand-finished feet. Every example is cleaned and inspected; we note any quirks that add character but never compromise use.

Styling notes

  • Pair a tall, clear vase with branches; ground it with books or a marble stand.

  • Use a wide urn for low, opulent arrangements, perfect for entry tables.

  • Stage a glass cloche over a single precious object; edit ruthlessly and let negative space do the talking.

  • Mix with modern ceramics or polished metal for a conversation between eras.

Each piece in this collection is one of a kind, chosen for its silhouette, light, and the way it makes flowers (or nothing at all) look important. Explore the selection in person at BON TON goods, Baltzarsgatan 41, Malmö.

Old glass doesn’t shout. It glows—and your home glows with it.

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