Antique French Jardiniere with Winged Hounds

Antique French Silverplate Jardinière with Winged Hounds

France | 19th Century

A long, low jardinière of boat form in silver-coated metal, the body swelling and lobed, the upper register cut with close flutes that catch the light like a run of pleats. At each end a winged hound leans out over the rim, muzzle open, wing swept back along the body. Rocaille cartouches and a drop of cast flowers interrupt the sides, and the whole sits on a shaped stepped foot.

The original insert is still with it, which matters more than it sounds. A jardinière was built to hold living plants, and the liner is what stood between wet earth and the metal. It is the first part to be lost and the last to be found again. This one has stayed put.

The plating has worn through on the back, softening into darker base metal in patches. That is what a silvered surface does when an object has spent a century being turned, lifted and set down on the same side, and it is better said plainly than photographed around. The front presents beautifully. The back tells you the thing was used.

Fill it or leave it empty. It reads as well down the centre of a table with nothing in it as it does planted, and at this length it will carry a run of candles better than most objects designed for the job. 12.5” x 7” 

Details

• Object: Jardinière with original insert
• Material: Silver-coated metal
• Form: Oval boat form with winged hound handles, fluted upper register, rocaille cartouches and stepped foot
• Origin: France
• Date: 19th century
• Condition: Good antique condition, with wear to the plating on the back where it has worn through to the base metal; original insert present