French Tole Cachepot Planter Empire Green Gold Scalloped Lion Heads 17½” Vintage For Sale

Offering this vintage French Tôle Peinte Oval Cachepot – Empire Style. The Neoclassical motifs are applied via high-quality transfer printing (indicated by the precise black cross-hatching), which was then skillfully hand-finished with gold accents to create depth and texture.

Provenance & Authenticity

• Origin: Authentic French craftsmanship, marked "Made in France" in cursive script on the base.
• Period: Mid-20th Century revival (c. 1940s–1960s) of the Napoleonic Empire style.
• Technique: Classic tôle peinte (painted tin) featuring a combination of stenciled/transfer-printed gold motifs with fine hand-finished black cross-hatching and outlines.

Design & Symbolism

• Color: Deep, rich "Empire Green," appearing nearly black in certain lighting.
• Central Medallion: Mirrored on both sides, featuring a Neoclassical quiver and arrows bound by ribbons.
• Hidden Details: The quiver is uniquely decorated with etched Zodiac signs, including Leo and Aries. In the mid-20th century, designers often added these extra "hidden" layers of symbolism to make their pieces feel more mysterious and "antique" to collectors.
• Hardware: Two cast-metal lion-head ring handles (mascarons) at either end, symbolizing strength and classical authority.
• Form: Features a distinctive Monteith scalloped rim (gallerie) and a formal stepped-foot 17.5”
• Depth: 7”
• Height: 5.75”

Condition Report

Overall: Excellent vintage condition with no dents.

• Surface: Minor surface abrasions consistent with age.
• Gilding: Gentle, attractive loss of gold paint along the scalloped rim, providing a desirable aged patina.
• Interior: Original grey-wash interior showing production-related paint drips along the seams, characteristic of hand-finished workshop pieces.