The Craze of Sculptural Planters

October 2024

The history of sculptural planters traces back to ancient civilizations, where decorative pots and urns were used in gardens, particularly prominent in Roman times, with the art form experiencing a revival during the Renaissance. The “craze” of sculptural planters today has its roots in the early 20th century, when artists like Hedi Schoop (my small collection left), and manufacturers like Shawnee Pottery, Hull Pottery, McCoy Pottery, and Treasure Craft in the United States, and REPLO, INARCO, NAPCO, Sampson, and Wales in Japan began producing figural pottery.  Many of these planters are in the shapes of animals, from rabbits to deer to swans to horses to cows. In the mid-1950s, anthropomorphic planters appeared, leading to the sculpting of more detailed pieces like the tilted-head or Tyrolean Girls planters by Hedi School.

A Great Reference: Collector's Encyclopedia of Figural Planters & Vases: Identification & Values by Betty & Bill Newbound (available on Amazon).