Vases
Decorative vases in Saudi Arabia — a vase is the fastest way to give a room a confident, finished character. At RIS you will find elegant decorative vases led by bold Sicilian-style ceramic head vases — Moor's head designs decorated with strawberries, olives, aubergines, prickly pears, grapes, figs and lemons — in small, medium and big sizes, made for Saudi living rooms, majlis and dining rooms. Style yours with pieces from our home décor collection, on a coffee table or console.
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The Sicilian Head Vase — a Bold Statement Piece
The Moor's head is the famous symbol of Sicilian ceramics: a sculpted head, crowned and hand-decorated with the fruits of the Mediterranean — strawberries, olives, aubergines, prickly pears, grapes, figs and lemons. Each face has its own expression, which is why collectors treat them as art, not accessories. In a Saudi home, one head vase on a console or sideboard does the work of a whole wall of decoration: it is luxurious, joyful and impossible to ignore — a truly bold, sophisticated centrepiece.
How to Choose the Right Vase Size
- Small head vases suit shelves, side tables, bathroom counters and desks — a single refined accent where space is limited.
- Medium vases are the console and sideboard size: tall enough to be seen across the room, balanced enough to sit beside a lamp or mirror.
- Big statement vases belong on dining tables, entry consoles and majlis sideboards, or standing as a pair — they anchor the whole room and should not compete with other large objects nearby.
As a guide, a vase on a console looks best at roughly one-third to one-half of the console's width, with clear space around it. When in doubt, go one size bigger — an elegant vase that is slightly too large still looks premium, while a small one disappears.
With Flowers, or Beautiful on Their Own?
A decorated head vase needs nothing inside it — the sculpted face and fruit crown are the decoration, and most owners display it empty as a sculpture. If you love flowers, choose simple stems that do not fight the design: olive branches, eucalyptus, dried pampas or a small bunch of one-colour roses. Keep arrangements short and loose so the face stays visible. Plain decorative vases in the collection take taller, fuller bouquets.
Colour, Pairs and Pairing
The fruit decorations bring confident colour — red strawberries, purple aubergines, green olives and figs, sunny lemons — against calm ceramic tones, so they lift neutral Saudi interiors of beige, stone and wood beautifully. A matching pair, one on each side of a mirror or console, is the classic Sicilian display and reads as pure luxury. A single vase suits a modern, asymmetric shelf. Pair the colours with cushions or a rug in the same family, and let everything else in the corner stay quiet.
Gifting and Ceramic Care
A ceramic head vase is a distinctive, high-quality gift — for a new home, a wedding or a hostess who already has everything. Care is simple: dust with a soft dry cloth, wash gently by hand with mild soap and water when needed, and dry fully. Avoid harsh cleaners and abrasive pads on the hand-painted decoration, keep the vase indoors, and lift it from the base — never by the crown or fruit details.
Delivery Across Saudi Arabia
RIS delivers across Saudi Arabia, with free delivery in main cities on orders of 2,500 SAR or more. Ceramic vases are packed with extra protection for the journey to your home, and you can also see the head vases in person at the RIS showroom in Jeddah.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Moor's head vase?
A Moor's head vase is a traditional Sicilian ceramic vase sculpted as a crowned head and hand-decorated with Mediterranean fruits such as strawberries, olives, aubergines, grapes, figs and lemons. It works as a piece of ceramic sculpture rather than a simple flower container, so most owners display it empty. Place it where the face is seen at eye level — a console, sideboard or dining table centrepiece.
What size vase do I need for a console table?
Choose a medium or big vase about one-third to one-half as wide as the console, with clear empty space around it. On a wide entry console, a matching pair — one vase at each end — is the classic Sicilian luxury display. If you are between sizes, go one size bigger: an oversized vase still looks premium, while a small one disappears against a long console.
Can I put real flowers in a ceramic head vase?
Yes — a ceramic head vase holds water, so fresh stems are fine. Keep the arrangement short and simple — olive branches, eucalyptus or a small bunch of one-colour roses — so the hand-decorated face stays visible, and change the water regularly. Most owners actually display head vases empty, because the sculpted head and fruit crown are the decoration.
Do head vases look good without flowers?
Yes — a Moor's head vase looks its best empty, because the sculpted face and hand-painted fruit crown are complete decoration on their own. That is why these vases have been statement pieces in Mediterranean homes for generations. Display yours on a console or sideboard with clear space around it and nothing competing beside it.
Should I buy one statement vase or a pair?
Buy a pair when you want a formal, symmetrical display — one on each side of a mirror, console or majlis entrance is the classic Sicilian arrangement. Choose a single vase for modern shelves and sideboards, where one confident, asymmetric accent works better. Either way, repeat one of the fruit colours in a cushion or rug nearby so the piece belongs to the room.
Where do I place a big statement vase at home?
Place a big statement vase where the eye lands first: an entry console, the centre of a dining table, a majlis sideboard or an empty corner on a low stand. Leave clear space around it — a bold piece only reads as premium when it is not crowded by other large objects. Keep it indoors, away from busy walkways where it could be knocked.
How do I style a head vase in a majlis?
Put the head vase on the majlis sideboard or a side table facing the guests, at eye level when seated. Echo one of its fruit colours — red, green or purple — in a cushion or serving tray nearby so the room feels coordinated. Keep the surface around it almost empty: the vase is the decoration, and everything else is background.
What is the best vase for dried flowers and pampas?
Choose a plain decorative vase with a narrower neck — it grips tall dried stems and pampas grass and keeps them upright and tidy. Decorated head vases are better displayed empty or with very short, simple greenery, so the face stays visible. Keep dried arrangements away from direct sun and dust them gently, which matters in bright Saudi homes.
Can I use a vase as a dining table centrepiece?
Yes — a medium or big Moor's head vase makes a striking centrepiece on a dining table, especially against stone or marble tops. Keep it exactly centred with nothing tall beside it, so guests can see each other over and around it. When serving large shared dishes, move it to the sideboard and return it after the meal.
Are ceramic vases a good gift?
Yes — a hand-decorated ceramic head vase is a distinctive, high-quality gift that needs no size, fitting or matching, which makes it easy to give well. It suits weddings, new homes and hosts who already have everything. Because each face and fruit decoration is hand-finished, the gift feels personal and lasts far longer than flowers or sweets.
How do I clean a ceramic vase?
Dust the vase with a soft, dry cloth, and wash it only when needed — gently by hand with mild soap and water, then dry it completely. Never use harsh cleaners or abrasive pads, which can damage the hand-painted fruit decoration. Always lift the vase from its base, not by the crown or fruit details.
Can I display a ceramic head vase outdoors?
No — a ceramic head vase is made for indoor display. Strong sun can fade the hand-painted fruit decoration, and outdoor knocks can chip the sculpted crown and details. Show it on an entry console or majlis sideboard instead, where it is seen every day and stays protected.
Can I see the vases before buying?
You can see the decorative and head vases in person at the RIS showroom in Jeddah. Sizes and colours read very differently in real light, so comparing the small, medium and big pieces side by side helps you choose with confidence. The showroom team can also advise which fruit colours suit your room.
Do you deliver vases outside Riyadh and Jeddah?
Yes — RIS delivers vases to all regions of Saudi Arabia. Delivery is free in main cities on orders of 2,500 SAR or more, and ceramic pieces are packed with extra protection for the journey. That makes ordering a fragile statement vase safe even if you live outside Riyadh and Jeddah.
