Pair of Lacquered Cast Iron Garden Urns – Tuscany, Late 19th Century
An elegant pair of tall, chalice-shaped urns in lacquered cast iron, adorned with raised floral motifs that evoke the neoclassical imagination and underline their decorative and representational function.
Originally placed in the garden of a Tuscan villa, they were intended to hold ornamental plants or small shrubs. They often flanked garden paths, stood at the sides of external staircases to frame the villa’s main entrance, or were placed before the limonaie—walled greenhouses used to shelter citrus trees through the colder months.
Made from a material that was both innovative and durable for its time, they combined practicality with decorative taste. The original lacquer finish, now gently faded by exposure, tells of a long life outdoors and a noble kind of wear—preserving all the charm of a time when even garden furnishings expressed style and presence.
Striking without being showy, they don’t just fill a space—they elevate it.
Placed at an entrance, they become a quiet gesture of welcome.
They support plants—and the atmosphere. And even when off to the side, they hold the stage.
- Material: Painted Cast Iron
- Condition: Restored
- Period: Mid-19th century
- State: Good conditions