Plant Stand

At a glance

• Family: Planters, Pots & Urns
• Periods most often found: Most date from 1880 to 1950.
• Typical price: about $250; range $60 to $1,500 and more for exceptional pieces
• What drives value: Material, tiers

What it is

Plant stands raise pots to the light and turn plants into displays. French examples include wrought-iron étagères à fleurs with several curved tiers, painted metal corner stands, wooden sellettes (tall pedestals) for a single pot or bust, bamboo and wicker stands from the turn of the century, and Art Deco stands in wrought iron by smiths inspired by Edgar Brandt. Victorian America produced cast-iron and wire plant stands in large numbers.

How to identify and date it

Hand-wrought stands show hammer marks and riveted joints; old paint layers, often white or green, worn through to metal, indicate age. Check stability, especially on tall tiered stands, and look for rust-through at the feet and broken welds. Wooden sellettes should be checked for loose joints and replaced tops; marble-topped versions should match in style.

Periods and styles

Most date from 1880 to 1950.

How much is it worth?

On the US retail market, most plant stand examples ask around $250. Simple or worn pieces start near $60, while documented, signed or exceptional examples can pass $1,500. The main value drivers are: material, tiers. These are indicative ranges, not an appraisal; see our price guide for French antiques for the method.

Before you buy

• Test stability
• Inspect welds and rust
• Check tops

Living with it

A tiered iron stand in a sunny window displays a collection of pots; a sellette carries a fern or a bust in a hallway.