Mid-Century Modern design is often defined by low, sleek lines—think long teak credenzas and low-slung sofas. But every room needs verticality to break up the horizon. Enter the "Swung Vase."
At Shelf 216, we consider these colorful glass sculptures the exclamation points of vintage decor. Standing anywhere from 12 inches to a staggering 40 inches tall, they are bold, fragile, and utterly unique. Here is how gravity helped create one of the most collectible trends of the 1960s.
"It’s All in the Swing"
The name isn't just a clever moniker; it’s a literal description of the manufacturing process. Unlike standard mold-blown glass, a swung vase starts in a mold (to form the patterned base) but is finished in the air.
Glassblowers from companies like Viking and L.E. Smith would take the molten glass, hold it by the neck with a tool, and physically swing it in a circle. Centrifugal force and gravity would stretch the hot glass, elongating the neck until it cooled. This is why no two swung vases are exactly the same height or mouth shape—they are frozen motion.
Identifying the Heavy Hitters
1. Viking Glass (The "Epic" Line)
If you see a bright orange (Persimmon), ruby red, or vibrant green (Avocado) vase with a smooth, non-ribbed body, check the base.
-
The Clue: Viking vases often feature a "six-petal" design on the very bottom. They are famous for their "Epic" line, which brought vivid, modern color to the American home.
2. L.E. Smith (The Giants)
While Viking ruled the tabletop, L.E. Smith ruled the floor. They produced massive "floor vases" that can reach over three feet in height.
-
The Look: Look for the "Simplicity" line (smooth) or the "Ripple" line (ribbed bottom). These often have a more slender, tapered look than the chunkier Viking pieces.
3. Fenton (The Fancy Edge)
Fenton’s swung vases are the dressier cousins. They often feature the "Hobnail" texture (bumpy surface) and have crimped or ruffled edges at the top, rather than the smooth "flames" of Viking or Smith.
The Collector’s Headache: How to Clean Them
The biggest challenge with a 20-inch vase with a 1-inch opening is cleaning the bottom.
-
The Pro Trick: Don't risk breaking it with a bottle brush. Fill the vase with warm water, a little dish soap, and a handful of uncooked rice. Swirl it gently. The rice acts as a mild abrasive to scrub the bottom without scratching the glass. Rinse well and let air dry.
Styling: Let the Light In
Swung vases are essentially colored lenses. They look dead in a dark corner.
-
Window Sills: This is the natural habitat of the swung vase. The sunlight passing through Amber or Blue glass creates a stained-glass effect on your floor.
-
The Rainbow: The ultimate collector flex is the "rainbow run"—lining up vases in a gradient from Red to Violet across a mantle.