A Pair of Early 20thC Painted Cast Iron Three-Tier Plant Stands c.1920-40
Origin: French Period: 3rd Republic Provenance: Unknown Date: c.1920-40 Heights: 24” Depths: 21/22” Widths: 36” (each) The well-proportioned and increasingly sought-after pair of early twentieth century painted wrought and slatted iron plant stands, retaining an exceptional amount of naturally distressed original paint, each of elegant three-tier form and constructed with slatted shelves supported by decorative wrought iron scrollwork, raised on shaped scrolling feet and surviving from the second quarter of twentieth century France. Their untouched surface, with layers of cream over verdigris-green paint worn back through decades of exposure, has developed the wonderfully textured patina that collectors and interior designers find almost impossible to reproduce. Originally intended for conservatories, ferneries or glasshouses, they now make striking sculptural display pieces for sculpture, garden antiques or collections of natural history. The stands remain structurally sound and sturdy, displaying honest age-related weathering throughout with both exhibiting widespread surface oxidation, paint loss and corrosion commensurate with long-term outdoor use, contributing to their considerable decorative appeal. Victorian and Edwardian ironwork of this quality was produced for country house conservatories during the great enthusiasm for ferns, palms and exotic botanical collections. Functional pieces such as these have increasingly become appreciated as decorative furniture in their own right, their worn paint and naturally aged surfaces sitting comfortably within both traditional and contemporary interiors. Their sculptural lines and restrained ornamentation lend themselves equally well to garden rooms, galleries and country house settings. Rare to find as a genuine matching pair retaining such appealing original paint and honest weathering; this pair prove wonderfully atmospheric and highly decorative with exceptional untouched surfaces, offering endless display possibilities.