Żardiniera z motywami orientalnymi. Brąz. Europa. 1900 rok.

The French seller, whose store had a prominent Oriental section, was convinced that this jardinière came from Burma when he sold it to me. I had no reason not to believe him. However, while doing my usual online research before putting the item on display in the store, I came across a completed auction by a Dutch antique company, Shangrila Antique, where an almost identical jardinière was described as a European product with oriental decorative motifs. Shangrila seems to be a reputable company with a long tradition and a truly impressive range of oriental items, which is what it specializes in. Since I had previously wondered about the shape of the planter, which is rare in the East, and the tin-plated metal insert that I see in French jardinières, I accepted the provenance of the planter with relief.

Everything would have been fine if I hadn't tried to make sure. Unfortunately, I found another almost identical jardinière sold at auction in England by John Nicholsons Fine Art Auctioneer, described as a product from Southeast Asia.

So, I leave the final decision on the origin of the jardinière to the buyer, adding that I personally find its European pedigree most convincing.

We all agree on one thing. The item was made at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. Antique dealers from Shangrila even precisely determined its date of origin to be 1900.

The jardinière is in good condition and has a beautiful, durable patina. It is 24 cm high. The distance between the legs is 28 by 26 cm. The rectangle formed by the walls at the top measures 36 by 24 cm. Some of the decorations, especially in the upper part, refer to ancient Chinese style.