So, today let's shed some light on one tiny slice of Japanese culture: the usubata vase. While usubata vases are distinctly Japanese, it's not obvious to know what they are used for.

While usubata vases are distinctly Japanese, it's not obvious to know what they are used for. In fact, they play a key role in the traditional practice of flower arranging in Japan.

Appraisal: Chinese Famille Noire Porcelain Vase, ca. 1890. GUEST: I'm a collector, so I, uh, look for odd and end pieces. I went into this, uh, flea mall.

The £800 Chinese vase that sold for £53MILLION: How family heirloom dismissed by BBC antiques expert as a 'clever reproduction' fetched huge sum at auction after sitting in loft for 40 years ...

The rare Chinese vase was sold for £43 million The 16-inch porcelain vase, which dates back to the Qing dynasty, was originally brought onto the BBC's Going for a Song in the 1970s.

A rare Chinese vase discovered on a bookshelf by an antique dealer during a routine valuation is tipped to sell for £100,000. The owner of the 'sublimely beautiful' 11ins tall porcelain item was ...

Two rare Chinese antiques that had been in an East Sussex home for more than 100 years could fetch up to £36,000 at auction. The vase and wine pitcher were from the reign of the Kangxi Emperor ...

Two rare Chinese antiques that had been in an East Sussex home for more than 100 years could fetch up to £36,000 at auction. The vase and wine pitcher were from the reign of the Kangxi Emperor ...