A vase should be designed to display flowers and show them off to their best effect. It’s like a great waiter at a restaurant, you’re aware of them moving silently around the table, food arriving, empty plates disappearing, your glass being refilled, but they’re not the main event. Sure you’re grateful for their presence but you didn’t come to see the waiter and a vase should be the same almost invisible accompaniment to your flowers.

So just why with this vase did they decide to make it into a flower instead of to display flowers? It wouldn’t be so bad if it was tall enough to display the orchids that it resembles, but at just eight inches it’s far too short for them.

It’s superbly made with swirling tendrils of leaves wrapped around the stem, and even a touch of yellow inside the bud just as if the pollon was there waiting for a bee.

It just shouldn’t be like this though, a vase should be understated and discreet, not shouting look at me!