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Reimagining Antiques as Unique Planters

10.05.22

The joy of decorative garden antiques is the sheer variety of them. There are the more traditional antique planters such as Castelnaudary urns to 19th century arras plant stands. However, there are also plenty of opportunities to bring authentic pieces of history to your home in less conventional ways. In this post, we will share the beauty of creating garden antiques with pieces originally designed for a completely different purpose.

Antique Food Pots

Many of the pots that we source and use as planters, both indoors and outdoors, were not originally created for greenery. Instead, they were designed to store, transport and preserve food from the land in Southern France. This included salt pots, confit pots and larger biot olive pots.

 

Antique Food Pots

 

Antique Grape Hods

French grape hods are used for picking grapes. The hod is worn on the back of the grape picker but we now like their slim profile and wide neck for planting! Due to the flat back, they work especially well against a wall and have a unique patina from the worn metal that contracts beautifully with mixed flowers and trailing foliage.

 

antique-grape-hod-planters

antique-grape-hod-planters in blue

 

Antique Ponne Pots

Another example of items that weren't original intended for plants are the antique Ponne pots shown below. These very attractive, large terracotta bowls would have been used to wash clothes in the early 19th century. A washing Ponne has a prominent drainage hole which is good for planting, while their size can support larger forms of foliage such as small trees or shrubs.

 

Antique Ponne Pots

 

Antique Zinc Baths

Finally, consider an original 19th Century zinc or copper bath. These can be a beautiful and unique garden feature. The example below is particularly large which invites all sorts of planting schemes and the faux marble exterior is very attractive. It is in very good condition inside and out, has its original plug and would make a great centrepiece if you're looking for a unique garden antique.

 

Antique Zinc Baths

 

If you would like any help sourcing metal antique pots & planters, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Alternatively, sign up to our emails to be the first to know about new pieces or follow us on instagram.

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New Arrivals

We travel to markets and use our contacts from across Europe to track down the very best garden antiques.

Spanish Confit Pots

Spain

Circa 1870

£380.00

Round 1960s Dining Set

France

Circa 1965

£2,700.00

Glazed Water Jug

France

Crica 1910

£350.00

Stylish 3 Seater Garden Set

France

1930s

£850.00

Elegant Green Confit Pot

France

Circa 1900

£325.00

Discretionary Garden Bench

France

Circa 1850

£5,500.00

Rare Pair of 19th Century Benches

France

Circa 1850

£5,700.00

Provence Dining Set

France

Circa 1930

£5,200.00

19th Century Confit Pot

France

Circa 1870

£325.00

19th-Century Sadirac Jug

France

Circa 1850

£470.00

Pair of Confit Pots

France

Circa 1880

£370.00

19th Century Curved Bench

France

Circa 1870

£2,500.00

Large Pair of Castelnaudary Urns

France

Circa 1900

£1,400.00

Eye Catching 19th-Century Bench

France

Circa 1850

£3,500.00

Stunning Italian Dining Set

Italy

Circa 1920

£6,200.00

Verdigris Copper Planter

France

Circa 1930

£2,100.00

Pair of Castelnaudary Urns

France

Circa 1920

£750.00

Italian Florist Stand

Italy

Circa 1930

£950.00

1930s French Garden Set

France

Circa 1930s

£1,200.00

Pair of Latticework Planters

United Kingdom

Circa 1960

£570.00

Rene Malaval Dining Set

France

Circa 1950

£4,700.00

1930s Provence Dining Set

France

Circa 1935

£5,900.00

1820s Toleware Monteith

France

Circa 1820

£330.00

Stunning 19th century Olive Jarre

France

Circa 1880

£1,400.00

1920s Parisian Dining Set

France

1920

£8,400.00

Curved Italian Plantstand

Italy

Circa 1930

£1,300.00

Faux Bois Pheasant Planter

France

Circa 1900

£1,900.00

French Oval Garden Set

France

Circa 1930

£2,200.00