Celery Vases: Trending antique for 2026 and our latest thrifting treasure

Celery vase: a thrifting trending treasure

 

We’ve long adored vintage table accoutrements—most notably salt cellars and knife rests—so when a recent House Beautiful headline announced that an antique glass vase was making a comeback and turning up in thrift stores, it might as well have read, “Barb Gulley, these are for you!”

No question about it: celery vases are our newest passion. They’re trending for all the reasons BTS loves—renewed interest in classic entertaining, a growing enthusiasm for conversation‑starting antiques, and the irresistible thrill of thrifting.

In a stroke of secondhand serendipity, just last week, while scouring shops on Michigan’s east side with my son Matt and daughter‑in‑law Jenna, I found my very first celery vase at only our second stop. At the unbelievable price of $9.99, I struck thrifting gold with this pressed‑glass beauty. I’m still researching its origins—though it resembles several examples in my newly purchased celery‑vase reference book, the exact details remain a mystery.

Celery Vase reference book  - many photos resemble thrifting treasure.

But what distinguishes a celery vase from a familiar flower vase or goblet? The elegant celery urn is typically a tall (6–9 inches), cut or pressed glass vessel with a pedestal base, fluted rim, and intricate decorative pattern.

Like salt cellars, celery vases were once the showpieces for an everyday item that was anything but everyday. These vessels held celery—a vegetable that now humbly appears on crudité platters but was once scarce, expensive, and a true status symbol.

In the 1800s, celery was difficult and costly to grow. Those with discretionary income not only purchased the prized stalks for dinner parties but also needed a suitably impressive container to display their conspicuous consumption.

Enter the celery vase.

They became so desirable that they were often given as wedding gifts, sometimes engraved with the newlyweds’ names.

However, like salt cellars, celery vases lost their appeal when the product they were designed to hold became less expensive and more accessible. But after decades tucked away in the backs of china cabinets, they’re enjoying a revival. While thrifting has made them accessible at an average cost of $25–$35, some examples command far higher prices.

Engraved celery vases from the early 19th century have sold for $2,000–$5,000. And a particularly special pair—created for William Henry Harrison’s 1840 presidential campaign and featuring both a log cabin and an American flag—sold for over $10,000 in 2021.

Celery vases - the trending antique for 2026!

My own celery vase is far more modest than those storied pieces, but it’s still a treasure, and wonderfully versatile. House Beautiful suggests using one as a candle votive, flower vase, candy container, or home‑bar accent.

And of course, one can always fill it with celery