A tulipiere is a hand-made pottery which was made specifically to grow tulips. They are constructed to accommodate one bulb per spout and the larger common base is used to store water. They were not designed as vases for a cut bloom, though they could also be used for this. Primarily they were popular in the 17th century when, besides tulip, other bulb flowers (e.g. hyacinth, crocus) were luxury items in Europe. That’s why they were also suitable for indicate their owner’s wealth.