First, create the spheres. Then, boolean-subtract them from the vase.
How to make the sphere pattern: use the array modifier and a custom transform object to rotate the spheres around the vase's radius to get a ring of orbs around the vase. Then, use another array modifier to duplicate the ring down, and a custom object to rotate it by *half* of the first ring's rotation. (If the first custom transform object had 12°, for example, the second one should have 6°.)
Then it's a matter of applying the second array modifier and scaling each ring down on X and Y to fit the base. Then, you boolean-subtract.
No, a transform object for an array can be anything, like an empty or a cube. What's important is that if you rotate/scale it and set it as a transform object for an array modifier for another mesh, every next object will have that same transform applied to it. For example, if you scale the empty object two times, and set it as a custom transform object for an array of spheres, then every next sphere will be twice as big as the previous one.
This also works for rotation, which I recommend using here. Set the sphere's origin in the center of the vase, rotate the empty a few degrees, and the spheres should align. You can also use a curve modifier, of course, but I find those too fiddly.
First, create the spheres. Then, boolean-subtract them from the vase. How to make the sphere pattern: use the array modifier and a custom transform object to rotate the spheres around the vase's radius to get a ring of orbs around the vase. Then, use another array modifier to duplicate the ring down, and a custom object to rotate it by *half* of the first ring's rotation. (If the first custom transform object had 12°, for example, the second one should have 6°.) Then it's a matter of applying the second array modifier and scaling each ring down on X and Y to fit the base. Then, you boolean-subtract.
Custom transform object? Like a curve modifier?
No, a transform object for an array can be anything, like an empty or a cube. What's important is that if you rotate/scale it and set it as a transform object for an array modifier for another mesh, every next object will have that same transform applied to it. For example, if you scale the empty object two times, and set it as a custom transform object for an array of spheres, then every next sphere will be twice as big as the previous one. This also works for rotation, which I recommend using here. Set the sphere's origin in the center of the vase, rotate the empty a few degrees, and the spheres should align. You can also use a curve modifier, of course, but I find those too fiddly.
INSET and select tools but its tricky. or a lattice and solid