Antique English Brass Repoussé Jardinière, Circa 1840

Jardinière is the French word for a decorative planter to hold flowers or plants. For the most part, they were used inside a home. Jardinières range from the very simple in design and style to quite elaborate.

When a malleable metal is shaped by hammering from the reverse side to create a design in low relief, this is called repoussé (embossed pieces are the opposite).  This technique is ancient and has been used the world over.  Metals soft enough for use for repoussé include gold, silver, copper and alloys such as bronze. Very simple tools are employed, yet there is allowance for tremendous diversity of expression.