Ripple Vases

By Tom Wayer

Imperial Ripple vases are probably the most commonly available vases in classic carnival glass. There are thousands of Ripple vases in collections and antique stores and malls even after over 100 years. They were manufactured by Imperial for over 20 years. Along with appearing in Imperial Glass Company catalogs, existing Butler Brothers catalogs from the second and third decades of the 20th century they often show assortments of iridized Imperial glass that include Ripple vases. Ripple vases have evenly spaced horizontal rings on their exteriors. It is these rings that turn into ripples when the vase is swung and sometimes twisted a bit. The interior of the vases has faint, thin vertical ribs. These vases can vary in height from around 4 1/2 inches to around 20 inches for funeral vases. They have a starred base and come in base sizes of 2 1/2″, 2 7/8″, 3 1/2″, 3 3/4″, 4”, and 4 3/4″ for the funeral vases. They are known in around 20 different base glass colors and/or combinations of base glass and iridescence. With the variety of sizes and colors there is a lot to look for in Ripple vases. Ripple vases were reissued by Imperial in the 1960s in limited sizes and colors. I’ve only heard of them in marigold, smoke and possibly pink and they have the later Imperial IG mark in the base. I really like Ripple vases but only own a small fraction of what Ripple vases are available.

Three short marigold vases on the left have 2 1/2-inch bases. Two white vases on the right, are taller also have 2 1/2-inch bases.

On the left is a marigold vase and a very pale clambroth vase both with 2 7/8-inch bases.  On the right is an amber vase and an aqua vase both with 2 7/8-inch bases.

Three green vases on the left have 2 7/8-inch bases. Three purple vases on the right, the short one in the middle has a 2 1/2-inch base and the taller vases have 2 7/8-inch bases.

Two taller smoke vases have 3 3/4-inch bases.

Photos courtesy of Tom Wayer.

This article first appeared in the ICGA Pump in the March 2024 issue and is reprinted with permission.