French Tole-Painted Floral Dummy Board – Basket of Tulips & Hydrangeas, 20th C.

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French Tole-Painted Floral Dummy Board – Basket of Tulips & Hydrangeas, 20th Century

A charming French tole-painted floral dummy board, … Read more French Tole-Painted Floral Dummy Board – Basket of Tulips & Hydrangeas, 20th Century

A charming French tole-painted floral dummy board, 20th century, crafted in the form of an abundant basket of flowers. Traditionally known as dummy boards or silent companions, these cut-out painted figures were fashionable in European interiors from the 18th century onward, serving as decorative trompe-l’œil accents for hearths, corners, or walls.

This example is finely cut and hand-painted in polychrome tole, depicting a woven basket brimming with blooms. Richly detailed red tulips emerge among clustered hydrangea-like blossoms, the former symbolizing passionate love and devotion, the latter representing gratitude, abundance, and heartfelt grace. Together, they embody prosperity and affection, qualities that made floral dummy boards especially appealing in domestic settings.

The piece retains both a detachable iron bracket stand for upright display and a forged hanging hook, allowing it to function as either a floor-standing hearth ornament or a striking wall-mounted panel. The paint surface shows a warm, time-softened patina, enhancing its vintage appeal.

Origin: France

Date: 20th century

Material: Hand-painted tole (tin/metal) with forged iron stand and hook

Dimensions: 27" W × 31" H × 4.5" D on stand; 0.25" D wall-mounted

An elegant and versatile decorative object, equally suited to period or modern interiors, this floral dummy board combines French whimsy, botanical symbolism, and the charm of painted tolework. See less