FRENCH COPPER "COPPER"
Large garden planter or log basket
Early 1900s
France.
£795
Dimensions
W 75 cm (30") x 70 cm oval ; H 50 cm (20")
Description
A turn of the century French copper ("fin de siecle gendarme!").
Originally used in rural France for boiling water, some claim also for making cheeses and marmalade but, given the shape, I find that hard to swallow. Today, this vessel makes an individualistic,, stylish (and slug-repelling) planter outside or log basket indoors.
The bulb shaped, curved body was formed by repeatedly working a sheet of copper through and over rollers and then joining the two ends with a dovetailed vertical seam - achieving a slightly ovoid bulb. After 'annealing' the copper with a fire's heat to give it momentary flex a broad collar was turned down and then teased out around the top rim with a leather hammer. A curved circular band was then rivetted by hand all around the lower edge and a curved base dish rivetted within that - making for an extremely strong structure. Very skilled work, all beautifully done and remaining intact.
Patina : the copper has oxidised naturally over time to a blue-charcoal hue, tinged with light blue, green and rose flecks of verdigris.
At some point in its century-plus life four 8mm holes have been drilled in the base to allow drainage as a planter. There are a few scuffs and two small tears at the edge of the collar - adding a bit more je ne sais quoi.
Stock No. 2005
