Animal Vases

Animal vases are one of the most playful ways to give a shelf or desk personality. At Dims Studio you'll find a large selection of animal vases and wall vases in stoneware and ceramic, where the motif is shaped like an animal, mostly from the British brand Quail. The range spans from classic table vases and pencil holders to wall vases that hang directly on the wall, and covers everything from farm animals and dog breeds to wild and exotic species. Here's a guide to types, animal motifs, sizes and brands, so you can find the right animal vase for your home.

Animal vases: how to choose

An animal vase is as much decoration as it is a vase. Most models in the range are shaped so the animal itself becomes the vase's silhouette, often with a small opening at the neck or back for a single twig or flower. When choosing an animal vase, it can help to think in three steps: which animal or expression speaks to you, should the vase stand on a surface or hang on the wall, and should it be used for flowers or work as a pencil holder or pure decoration. Also consider whether the vase should stand alone as a clear statement, or be part of a larger, ongoing collection of several animals and motifs.

If the vase will be used daily for pens and office items, one of the many pencil holder models from Quail is an obvious choice. If it should mainly be an eye-catcher on a shelf or wall, you can choose freely among the many animal motifs, from classic farm animals to more exotic species and birds.

Types of animal vases

The range covers table vases, wall vases and pencil holders, and what they have in common is that the animal itself is part of the shape, not just a decoration on the outside of an ordinary vase.

Table vases

Table vases are the classic animal vases that stand freely on a shelf, table or dresser. Here you'll find, among others, Leopard vase, Zebra vase, Hippo vase, Elephant vase and Giraffe vase, all in stoneware from Quail, plus more colorful interpretations from Rice and GiftCompany.

Wall vases

Wall vases hang directly on the wall and work like a kind of living sculpture, where an animal head or body protrudes from the wall with a small opening for a single twig. The range has a large selection of wall vases, including Cow wall vase, Giraffe wall vase, Eagle wall vase, Wolf wall vase and several dog wall vases such as Westie and Border collie.

Pencil holders

Many of the smaller animal vases from Quail are designed as pencil holders, where the animal's back or neck has an opening large enough for pencils, pens or scissors. Examples include Panda vase pencil holder, Tiger vase pencil holder, Koala vase pencil holder and Hippo vase pencil holder. They work just as well on the desk as with a single flower.

Fish vases

A large subgroup in the range is fish vases, where the entire vase is shaped like a fish. They come in many colors and materials, including from GiftCompany, Kersten and Bloomingville, in both ceramic and glass, and range from pink and turquoise to azure blue and dark green.

Types compared

Type	Placement	Typically used for	Examples
Table vases	Shelf, table, dresser	Flowers or pure decoration	Leopard vase, Zebra vase, Hippo vase
Wall vases	Directly on the wall	Single twig, decoration	Cow wall vase, Eagle wall vase, Wolf wall vase
Pencil holders	Desk, office	Pencils, pens, scissors or flowers	Panda pencil holder, Tiger pencil holder
Fish vases	Shelf, table	Flowers or decoration	Azure blue fish vase, Red fish vase

Animal motifs: from farm animals to exotic animals

The range of animal vases covers a broad spectrum of animals, from well-known farm animals to more exotic and wild species.

Farm animals and pets

Among the farm animals you'll find Cow vase, Pig vase, Goat vase and several sheep models such as Swaledale sheep. Pets are represented by a long list of dog breeds, including Westie, Cavalier, Greyhound, Border collie, Border terrier, English bulldog, French bulldog and Dachsy, plus several cat vases such as Millie, Barney, Vincent and Lucky.

Wild and exotic animals

The more exotic motifs include Leopard, Tiger, Zebra, Elephant, Rhino, Hippo, Panda, Koala, Polar bear, Wolf, Bear, Panther, Buffalo, Hereford bull, Wild boar, Badger, Meerkat and Capybara. Several of these come as table vase, pencil holder and wall vase, so you can choose the version that suits best.

Birds

Bird lovers can choose between Parrot, Owl, Gull, Eagle, Lovebird and Puffin, all available as wall vase or table vase in stoneware.

Water and sea animals

Besides the fish vases, the range also includes Lobster vase, Seahorse vase, Pufferfish vase and Guinea pig vase, bringing a touch of sea and water into the animal vase universe. What they have in common are the bold colors and soft, rounded shapes, which make them easy to combine with the rest of the range.

Material and care

The animal vases in the range are primarily made of stoneware and ceramic, with a few fish vases in glass. The material affects weight, surface and how best to look after the vase.

Stoneware

Stoneware is the recurring material at Quail and is used for table vases, wall vases and pencil holders alike. It's a dense, robust material that allows for detailed surfaces and textures, e.g. fur, feathers or scales, depending on which animal the vase depicts.

Ceramic

Ceramic is used especially for the fish vases and some of the more colorful animal motifs from GiftCompany, Kersten and Rice. The surface is often smooth and slightly glossy, giving a clear and easily recognizable look.

How to care for your animal vase

• Wipe the vase with a slightly damp cloth, and avoid scouring pads on the detailed surfaces.
• Use the vase for fresh flowers with care, and empty and rinse it regularly if it's filled with water.
• If you hang a wall vase, make sure the fittings and screws can bear the vase's weight.
• Avoid stacking or placing heavy objects on top of the animal vases, so the details don't get damaged.

Sizes: from mini to large animal vase

The animal vases come in several sizes, from small mini versions to large vases that can stand alone as a centerpiece.

Mini and small

The smallest animal vases, often marked as mini or small, such as Zebra mini vase, Tiger mini vase and Pug mini vase, are well suited for a single twig or as part of a combined arrangement of several animals on a shelf.

Large animal vase

The larger animal vases, such as Leopard vase large, Elephant vase large and Large giraffe vase, work well as a standalone eye-catcher on a table or shelf and can hold a slightly bigger bouquet or several twigs. Also see our selection of large vases.

How to use animal vases at home

Animal vases are as much sculpture as vase, and can therefore be used in more ways than just for flowers.

As a little zoo on the shelf

Gather several animal vases in different sizes and motifs on a shelf for a playful, personal look. Feel free to mix table vases and smaller pencil holders for variation in height and shape.

Wall vases as living art

The wall vases work as an alternative to traditional wall art. Hang a single wall vase, e.g. a Giraffe wall vase or an Eagle wall vase, as a standalone eye-catcher, or combine several wall vases in a smaller group for a unified look.

On the desk

The pencil holder models are an obvious way to give the office or desk character, while also keeping pencils, pens and scissors organized.

Animal vases as a gift

An animal vase is an obvious gift for animal lovers or for someone with a sense of humor and an eye for detail. Choose a mini or pencil holder version for a smaller gift, or a large table vase if the gift should be a clear eye-catcher. Also see our selection of gifts for dad and birthday gifts for her.

Animal vases in the different rooms

Animal vases can be used in almost every room in the home, but motif and placement can benefit from being matched to the room's function and mood.

The living room

In the living room, the animal vases work well as an eye-catcher on a coffee table, shelf or console. Feel free to combine several sizes and motifs for a unified yet still playful look.

The office and home workspace

The pencil holder models are ideal for the desk, where they both keep office items organized and give the workspace personality. A Panda or Tiger pencil holder can help make an otherwise dull desk setup more personal.

The children's room

The playful and often colorful animal motifs fit naturally into the children's room, where they can both stand as pure decoration and be used to store crayons or other small items. Also see our selection for entrance hall decor and other rooms in the home.

The entrance and hallway

A wall vase in the entrance gives an unexpected and personal first impression. Feel free to choose a wall vase with an animal that matches the rest of the home's style, e.g. a more subdued bird or a colorful leopard.

Brands behind the animal vases

The range gathers several brands, each contributing their own take on the animal vase.

Quail

Quail is the British brand behind the majority of the range and is known for detailed, naturalistic animal vases in stoneware, including table vases, wall vases and pencil holders in a wide range of animal motifs.

GiftCompany

GiftCompany supplies a large part of the fish vases as well as other animal motifs such as crocodile, squirrel and meerkat, often in colorful ceramic or dolomite.

Kersten

Kersten is behind several of the fish vases and a few other animal motifs, including a lobster vase and a zebra vase, in a colorful and easily recognizable look.

Bloomingville and Creative Collection

Bloomingville and Creative Collection contribute fish vases in stoneware, including Irving, Ariella and Harvey, in a slightly more subdued, Nordic design language.

Rice and Anna + Nina

Rice is behind colorful interpretations of leopard, zebra and koala, while Anna + Nina contributes leopard vases in both ceramic and stoneware in a more artistic expression.

How to build an animal vase collection

Many customers start with a single animal vase and expand it into a full collection over time. Here are a few ideas for how to approach it.

Choose a theme

Some collect animal vases by theme, e.g. only dog breeds, only birds or only wild animals, while others mix freely across motifs. A consistent theme can give the collection a more coherent look, while a free mix gives a more playful and personal look.

Mix sizes and placements

A collection often becomes more lively when it mixes table vases, wall vases and pencil holders in different sizes. Let the larger vases form the focal point, and build smaller vases up around them on the same shelf.

Start with a favorite animal

If you or someone you know has a particular favorite animal, it can be a natural starting point for the collection. Quail has several animals available as table vase, wall vase and pencil holder, so you can start small and expand later.

Which animal vase should you choose?

Situation	Our recommendation
A desk that needs character	A pencil holder, e.g. Panda vase or Tiger vase pencil holder
A wall missing an eye-catcher	A wall vase, e.g. Giraffe wall vase or Eagle wall vase
A playful shelf with several animals	A mix of mini and table vases in different motifs
A colorful eye-catcher on the table	A fish vase from GiftCompany or Kersten
A gift for an animal lover	A table vase in the recipient's favorite animal, e.g. a dog breed or cat vase
The children's room	A smaller, playful animal vase, e.g. Koala or Panda vase

Frequently asked questions about animal vases

What is an animal vase?

An animal vase is a vase where the shape itself depicts an animal, often with a small opening at the neck or back for a single flower or twig. The range includes table vases, wall vases and pencil holders with animal motifs.

What's the difference between a table vase and a wall vase?

A table vase stands freely on a surface, while a wall vase hangs directly on the wall and works more like a sculpture than a traditional vase.

Can an animal vase be used as a pencil holder?

Yes, many of the smaller animal vases from Quail are designed as pencil holders, where the opening in the vase is suited to pencils, pens and scissors.

Which animal motifs are available?

The range covers a broad spectrum, from farm animals like cow and pig to exotic animals like leopard, tiger and elephant, dog breeds like Westie and Border collie, birds like owl and parrot, and water and sea animals like fish, lobster and seahorse.

What material are the animal vases made of?

Most animal vases are made of stoneware or ceramic, while a few fish vases are made of glass.

How do I hang a wall vase?

Most wall vases come with a hanging option on the back. Use fittings and screws suited to the vase's weight and your wall.

Can animal vases be used without flowers?

Yes, many use the animal vases as pure decoration or sculpture without flowers, especially the more detailed models from Quail.

Which brand makes the most animal vases?

Quail is behind the majority of the range with a wide selection of table vases, wall vases and pencil holders in stoneware.

Are the animal vases handmade?

This varies from product to product, and the information is found in the description of each product. Since many models are cast in stoneware or ceramic, small natural variations can occur.

Do animal vases suit a children's room?

Yes, the playful and colorful motifs make animal vases a popular choice for the children's room, where they can be used both as decoration and for storing crayons and other small items.

Can you collect several animal vases together?

Yes, many customers build a full collection of animal vases over time, either around a specific theme like birds or dog breeds, or freely across motifs, sizes and placements.

Are animal vases only for adults, or do they suit children too?

Animal vases suit a broad range, but the smaller and most playful motifs, e.g. panda, koala and fish, are especially popular in the children's room, where they work both as decoration and for storing crayons and other small items.

Where can you buy animal vases?

You can buy animal vases online at Dims Studio, where you'll find a large selection of table vases, wall vases and pencil holders with animal motifs, mostly from the British brand Quail.