Weed Vase

The tall, slim, copper weed vase (or weed holder) designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is illustrative of the architect’s iconic design philosophy, which emphasized practical, organic designs that incorporated the local landscape and natural materials. Wright designed the weed vase specifically to display the tall prairie weeds found in the Midwest. Weed vases appear in photographs of Wright’s Oak Park studio and were in his home as well as in several other prominent residences that he designed. In 1956, his son wrote, “Not satisfied with the bric-a-brac of the day, Father designed his own. Father liked weeds!” Not only did Wright elevate weeds as decorative elements in the home, but in the designing the vase, he turned to an elemental and overlooked material as well. The vases were made from copper sheet metal produced by James A. Miller and then patinated with thin layers of lacquer. The dark copper complemented the oak furniture and architectural elements that Wright designed. Wright described copper as “the only sheet metal that has yet entered into architecture as a beautiful and permanent material.” Today, only about sixteen weed holders are known to survive.