Show Off Your Greenery in this Antique Jardiniere
Now winter is approaching what better way to display your indoor greenery than on this superb antique Napoleon III walnut and porcelain Jardiniere.
Jardinieres became popular in the nineteenth century as people caught the craze for displaying often exotic, indoor plants. As industrialisation grew, so did the desire to bring nature indoors.
Napolean III Antique Jardiniere in Walnut & Porcelain c.1860
In the style of Charles Guillaume Diehl, the famous mid-nineteenth century Paris based small furniture and cases maker, this piece is a splendidly crafted example of a Jardiniere in gilt ormolu and Burr Walnut.
Ormolu is the term for applying finely ground, high-carat gold in a mercury amalgam to an object of bronze, but by the time of this piece, the use of mercury had been outlawed in France, so other methods were used. This piece has really wonderful ormolu decoration.
Burr Walnut (from the ‘growth areas’ of the tree where new branches sprout) was considered the most attractive variety for producing fine veneers and as a result was more expensive and desirable.
The twin handled lid features a beautifully hand painted Sevres-style porcelain plaque decorated with boats near a bridge on a river.
The lid lifts off to reveal a pull-out metal liner which is ideal for displaying plants and flowers and which protects the rest of the piece from soil and water damage.
It stands 80cm (2 feet, 7 inches) tall in elegant tapering legs headed with wonderfully executed ormolu leopard mask and anthemion mounts.
The legs terminate in splayed feet with paw sabots.
Overall the craftsmanship and finish are second to none. It is in excellent condition having been beautifully restored in our workshops.
Dimensions in cm:
Height 80 x Width 58 x Depth 40
Dimensions in inches:
Height 2 feet, 7 inches x Width 1 foot, 11 inches x Depth 1 foot, 4 inches
Please feel free to email or call us (+44 20 8809 9605) to arrange a viewing in our North London warehouse.
Shipping:
We ship worldwide and deliver to Mainland UK addresses free of charge.
A shipping cost to all other destinations must be requested prior to purchase.