how to arrange three piece garniture sets?

The tallest piece takes the centre spot. Place the covered baluster vase right in the middle of your mantelpiece. The two matching open beakers flank it on either side. Keep the spacing equal to maintain the formal symmetry that these sets were designed for.

I inherited five of these old vases and two are missing their lids, does it matter if I just display them without the covers on?

Many sets have lost their original covers over the centuries. They still work well as a decorative grouping without them. You might find it looks more intentional if you take the remaining covers off too. Store the surviving lids somewhere safe and display all five as open vessels.

can you put water in antique vases?

It is best to keep them dry. The internal glaze on early ceramics often has microscopic cracks. Use a glass liner if you want to display fresh flowers. This protects the antique piece from staining.

My mantelpiece is quite narrow and I am worried about the weight of five large porcelain vases sitting up there, how heavy are they usually?

Ceramic weights vary depending on the factory and the period. Thick earthenware pieces are heavier than delicate bone china equivalents. The real weight usually comes from added metal mounts. French sets with cast brass or ormolu bases are dense and will test a flimsy shelf. Always check your shelf brackets before setting up a large display. The central piece is typically the heaviest of the group.

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Antique Garniture Vases

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An antique garniture consists of a matching set of vases, usually an odd number like three or five, designed to be displayed together along a mantelpiece to create a balanced focal point.