Delightful Mid-20th Century Painted Concrete Hen w/ Moss Patina - 14½"

This enchanting mid-20th century painted concrete hen is a wonderfully characterful decorative piece with rustic charm. Its plump body is carefully modeled with incised feathers and a proudly raised comb, while traces of its original muted pink and pale green paint remain across the surface. The finish has mellowed with time, and the moss patina around the base lends an evocative touch of nature. Resting firmly on its plinth, it exudes the playful spirit of a storybook figure.

Cast concrete garden figures like this were widely produced in France from the interwar years through the 1960s by provincial ateliers. Durable and affordable, they continued a folk art tradition that favored familiar farmyard subjects for terraces, potagers, and courtyards. Hand applied polychromy enlivened the forms and helped shield the cement from the elements.

This hen brings a gentle rural note to a terrace or sunroom, especially alongside terracotta pots, zinc planters, and green glazed earthenware. Indoors, it reads as a charming accent on a kitchen shelf or breakfast nook and would be delightful in a child’s room atop a bookcase. Its petite scale makes it easy to anchor a vignette on an entry console or mantel, adding texture and quiet character.