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Vintage Five Finger Blue and White Tulip Vase (Tulipiere) Made in Portugal. It measures 6.75” high x 3.25” at base, approximately 8” across fingers. It was most likely made during 1950s-1980s. Pre-owned in very good condition. Hand made and hand painted. SEE PHOTOS (there is the tiniest chip on top of 1 I’ve circled in red and some crazing underneath).
This vase is hand-crafted and hand-painted. The ceramic body was formed using a casting mold, but the individual "finger" spouts were assembled and joined to the base by hand. The distinct sponge-mottled blue texture, the white crown tips, and the lines on the base were completely painted by hand with a brush. If you look closely at the blue areas, you can see minor gaps and irregularities in the pattern, which are classic signs of artisanal handwork rather than machine printing.
The markings on the bottom confirm that your vase is a mid-to-late 20th-century Portuguese faience reproduction of an antique 18th-century design.
Decoding the Markings top Monogram: The stylized hand-painted "HL" monogram at the top belongs to the specific master artist or workshop decorator who hand-painted this piece. Text Lines:"Made in Portugal""Authorized Copy" — This indicates it is an officially designated reproduction of a historic museum-style piece, rather than an original antique."SEC. XVIII" — This translates to Século 18 (18th Century), confirming the shape and design mimic the traditional Portuguese pottery styles of the 1700s.
Bottom Code: "J. 200" is the specific factory shape/catalog reference number for this exact five-finger mold.🏺 The Pottery MaterialThe unglazed exposed material forming the frame around the white base is red terracotta clay, which is typical of traditional folk pottery workshops in regions like Coimbra or Alcobaça, Portugal.
Five-finger vases are uniquely designed to hold a minimal amount of flowers while making them look lush, full, and perfectly spread out.The Focal Point: Cut your tallest, straightest bloom to sit in the center finger. This establishes the peak height of your arrangement.The Side Spouts: Cut the flowers for the outer four fingers progressively shorter. Angle them slightly outward to follow the natural curve of the ceramic "fingers." Flower Choices:Traditional: Tulips are the historical choice. They will naturally curve and droop elegantly as they grow toward the light. Modern Alternatives: Use slim-stemmed flowers that won't crowd the narrow openings. Excellent choices include daffodils, sweet peas, anemones, ranunculus, or small sprigs of lavender and greenery.
Pro-Tip: Fill each finger with water individually using a small watering can or a measuring cup with a spout, as the fingers do not always share a connected water reservoir at the bottom.
NEVER submerge the entire vase in water due to its porous nature, but of course you can gently fill each finger with water.
