1950s French Perforated Metal Trough Jardinière - 43¾"

This mid-century French jardinière from the 1950s, is formed from perforated sheet metal in an elongated rectangular trough with a quadrifoil pattern that lends it a light, airy presence. The surface, once fully painted white, now shows a warm tobacco-brown patina with even oxidation that emphasizes the texture of the metal. Sturdily made, it presents in authentically weathered condition with scattered pitting, small rim bruises, and staining from outdoor use, all of which contribute to its appealingly rustic character.

Perforated metal balcony boxes gained popularity in postwar France, when practical industrial materials were embraced for everyday jardin use. This utilitarian form aligns with mid-century functionalism and the French savoir-faire of simple, durable sheet-metal work that complemented wrought-iron brackets and railings on façades and windows.

Designed to hold pots or a fitted liner, this long jardinière adapts effortlessly indoors or out. It mounts beautifully on a garden wall or balcony within bracket supports, where it can be filled with cascading geraniums, hardy herbs, or trailing ivy. Indoors, it becomes a striking textural centerpiece lined with moss and potted orchids, seasonal bulbs, or sculptural branches. Its long, low profile also makes it ideal on a windowsill, console, or dining table, where you might arrange a row of candles, succulents, or simple terra cotta pots to underscore its rustic charm and weathered patina.