I hate it when that happens. The delicate Ming vase can only be dropped if the velvet pillow (from "the soft room") has already been dropped in the same room. Otherwise it shatters and is lost forever. You'll have to start a new game if you hope to get a perfect score.

Another thing that can break the vase is filling it with water or oil. The vase can't be used as a container. Only the water bottle can be used in that way.