Vintage French Faux Bois Concrete Garden Suite W/ Table and 3 Chairs

This whimsical faux bois concrete garden suite, comprising a round table and three chairs, is French and dates to the 1960s or 1970s. Cast and hand-tooled to imitate timber, the circular top has a bark-textured rim and plank-like surface, raised on a tripod pedestal formed as branching trunks with a knot detail. The chairs stand on stump bases with scooped seats and gently curved backs, finished in tones of honey, sand, and umber that convincingly suggest weathered wood.

The suite belongs to the long French tradition of faux bois, a craft developed by rocailleurs, rock workers who had been decorating gardens and parks with artificial rocks since the sixteenth century. With the introduction of cement in the late nineteenth century, these artisans expanded their repertoire to include trompe-l’œil wood structures. Rocaille (rockwork) experienced a flourishing period of invention and production until the 1940s. By the 1960s and 70s, faux bois enjoyed a revival, its durable cement construction suited to postwar leisure culture while its rustic fantasy evoked woodland and chalet motifs.

This table and chairs follow the classic vocabulary of the genre, uniting sturdiness with whimsical, hand-shaped detail and time-honored savoir-faire. In a lush garden, the surrounding greenery enhances the trompe-l’œil effect, allowing the suite to blend seamlessly into its setting and create an "enchanted garden" atmosphere. Placed on a terrace, its architectural presence stands out, forming an intimate conversation circle or a charming breakfast spot. The organic lines soften stone or gravel and pair well with boxwood, climbing vines, and glazed planters. With linen cushions and a lantern, it brings both rustic fantasy and sculptural strength to the setting.