Ikaika Lei Vase (Chipped)

Update: this item has a slight chip on one of the leaves and thus has been discounted. It still is beautiful and works like a charm!

A hand built stoneware Hawaiian style "Lei" vase, fired to cone 6 on the Garden Island of Kaua'i. Leis are usually a wreath of fresh flowers, leaves, or shells that is worn around the neck, head, hips or ankles. Leis are a symbol of Hawaiian culture and are often given as gifts to express love, honor, and celebration. 

The Ikaika Lei Vase stands with quiet strength. Glazed in a deep iron matte, its body has the grounded, weathered presence of volcanic rock—solid, enduring, and elemental. Crowning the piece is a wild lei of burnt matte green flowers, evoking the rugged flora that clings to the mountainsides of Hawai‘i, wind-tossed but unshaken.

In Hawaiian culture, ikaika means strength—not just physical, but spiritual and ancestral. It speaks to resilience, to standing firm like the koa tree or the warrior’s stance. The lei, traditionally given as a sign of love, honor, or welcome, takes on new meaning here—a fierce floral armor, both beautiful and unyielding.

This vase is a tribute to the strength it takes to move through the world with grace. A vessel for flowers, stories, and the unspoken power of presence.

What is Stoneware?

Stoneware pottery is fired at high temperatures to make it strong, hard, and resistant to liquids (non-porous). It is made from clay, but it is more durable than other kinds of pottery and earthenware. The reason it is called "stoneware" is because of its stone-like qualities, so you can expect something that is rugged, durable, and exudes natural feeling. 

Care instructions

While stoneware and the glaze I use is 100% food-safe, microwave safe, and dishwasher friendly, to retain the beautiful colors, I do recommend hand washing and not using them in microwaves. Although stoneware is tough, it could still chip if it is bashed so please handle your pots with care. 

Dimensions: 12.5 x 9 x 1.5 inches 

Weight: 2.38lbs