Empire Tôle Peinte Jardiniere

An Empire tole peinte ormolu-mounted jardiniere or planter from the early 19th century. Painted with gilt empire ornaments to all sides against a red ground, each corners with a classical caryatide in gilt-bronze, with two lion mask side handles, inside with removable tole liner.

This jardiniere can be attributed to the German Stobwasser manufacture from Berlin. Johann Heinrich Stobwasser (1740-1829) was the founder of one of the most important japanning factories of the day. The main factory was in Brunswick, a subsidiary one was established in Berlin in 1772. They specialized in small objects, notably boxes painted with portraits, landscapes and mythological scenes.