French Country · Encyclopedia · Antiques by family
Garden Antiques
Planters and urns, Anduze vases, watering cans, statues, fountains and iron garden furniture. Each entry explains what the object is, how to identify and date it, what to check before buying, and what it is usually worth on the US market. 10 entries.
Garden Statues & Ornaments
Sundial
Indicative US retail $100–$3,000 · typical $500
Garden sundials in bronze or stone. Engraved hour lines, a maker's name, a latitude, a date or a motto add value; the gnomon should be original and set at the correct angle.
Garden Statue
Indicative US retail $150–$5,000 · typical $600
Outdoor statues in stone, cast iron or concrete. Weathering, lichen and erosion indicate age; foundry marks identify cast iron; lead shows soft, gray patina and may sag.
Bird Cage
Indicative US retail $60–$1,500 · typical $250
Decorative cages from Victorian and French. Old cages show hand-bent wire, soldered joints, original paint and wooden bases with drawers.
Garden Fountain
Indicative US retail $500–$20,000 · typical $2,500
Wall and freestanding fountains. Check completeness, cracks in basins and missing elements; old lead fountains are prized and soft, so check for distortion.
Planters, Pots & Urns
Antique Planter
Indicative US retail $50–$2,500 · typical $250
Planters in cast iron, stone, terracotta and zinc. Cast-iron planters carry foundry marks on the base or side and should be checked for cracks and rust-through; stone should be weathered with lichen and checked for repairs; zinc for splits and leaks; terracotta for frost cracks.
Plant Stand
Indicative US retail $60–$1,500 · typical $250
Stands for plants in wrought iron, wood and wicker. Hand-wrought stands show hammer marks and riveted joints; old paint layers, often white or green, worn through to metal, indicate age.
Garden Urn
Indicative US retail $150–$6,000 · typical $700
Classical urns on pedestals, often Medici or Campana shape. Foundry marks and weight identify cast iron; check for cracks, rust-through at the base, replaced pedestals and repairs.
Jardinière
Indicative US retail $60–$2,000 · typical $300
Decorative planters for indoor plants, in majolica, porcelain or metal. Check that the pedestal belongs to the bowl: color, glaze, decoration and fit should match, and the joint should not be glued.
Cachepot
Indicative US retail $30–$600 · typical $120
Decorative pot covers that hide plain flowerpots. Check for chips at the rim and foot, glaze losses and hairline cracks; drainage holes drilled in the base indicate later use as planters.
Garden Iron & Metal
Antique Watering Can
Indicative US retail $30–$400 · typical $100
French zinc and copper watering cans (arrosoirs). Zinc develops a soft gray patina that should not be polished away; maker plates or stamps add value.
How we write these guides: identification notes are general guidance written by French Country; a style name, a region or a resemblance does not by itself date or attribute a piece. Price ranges are indicative US retail asking prices for antique and vintage examples in sound condition (dealers, specialist marketplaces and auctions), estimated and rounded as of November 2026; check recent sold results before relying on a figure. They are not appraisals or offers to buy or sell: condition, provenance and documentation can move a value far outside the range. For insurance, estates or sales, ask an independent, qualified appraiser for a written valuation.