Pia’s picks: handbags turned vases

René Magritte’s «La trahison des images» (The Treachery of Images) shows a realistically painted pipe with the sentence «Ceci n'est pas une pipe» (this is not a pipe). Magritte wanted to emphasise that a picture isn’t identical with the object depicted. The art piece questions the relationship between reality and representation as well as the boundaries of language and images, encouraging us to reflect on our perception and the construction of meaning.

My current favourite vases from the range, which include the Tiny Bag from Rivièra Maison, illustrate the same point: they look like handbags – but they’re not.

This transparent vase is shaped like a bag with black handles, but it’s made entirely of glass. Not very practical as a handbag, as my colleague Laura Scholz found out firsthand with a different glass handbag inspired by the catwalk. Used as a vase or storage for small items, however, I find this type of bag amazing! With its unusual shape, the vase is definitely an eye-catcher. And the handles are not just for decoration purposes, they’re practical too; they allow you to easily move the vase and help prop up your bouquet.

My favourite handbag-shaped vases from our range

Like the idea of a handbag vase/vase handbag? Here are my personal faves for tulips, sunflowers and more:

Vases

CHF15.90

Boltze Home Janah

1 x, 13 x 12 x 21 cm

Vases

CHF40.90

Bitten I Am Not A Plastic Bag

16 x 7 x 23 cm

Vases

Rituali Domestici Vase

1 x, 14.5 x 14.5 x 22 cm

Vases

Rivièra Maison RM Tiny

1 x, 19.5 x 11 x 24 cm

Vases

CHF40.90

Bloomingville Nicita

Vases

Koopman SCANDI

1 x

In my «Pia’s Picks» series, I regularly showcase my favourite finds – things I might not need, but definitely want.