japanese plant pot Vintage Handpainted Elephant Planter Made in Japan circa 1940s-1950s – In The Vintage Kitchen Shop

japanese plant pot Vintage Handpainted Elephant Planter Made in Japan circa 1940s-1950s – In The Vintage Kitchen Shop{HISTORY} Made in Japan sometime between the 1940s and 1950s, this colorful elephant planter features three bays where plants can be tucked in to create a small and cozy tabletop garden. The largest of the planting bays sits on top of the elephant's back but two side bays also leave room for small succulents or air plants to grow too. Originally this handsome guy might have been part of a tea set, with room for a plant on top and tea bags on the side.

{HISTORY}

Made in Japan sometime between the 1940s and 1950s, this colorful elephant planter features three bays where plants can be tucked in to create a small and cozy tabletop garden. The largest of the planting bays sits on top of the elephant's back but two side bays also leave room for small succulents or air plants to grow too. 

Originally this handsome guy might have been part of a tea set, with room for a plant on top and tea bags on the side. But in addition to a plant stand, he also makes for a cute desktop organizer, where you can store pens, pencils, paintbrushes etc., or for the culinary collector, he also makes a lovely holder for small kitchen utensils and wooden spoons.

Around here, we just love unique pieces like this that offer many different purposes and possibilities and add an instant touch of charm to the kitchen. 

Bright and colorful, this guy features handpainted designs and summery shades that include tangerine, lime green, emerald green, cobalt blue, lemon yellow, black and pale teal. Dark crazing lines add additional character and his cute expression brings instant joy.

Stamped on the bottom with a made in Japan mark, we searched high and low for more info on the manufacturer but came up empty. But we did find a matching teapot, which suggests that it might at one point have been part of a pretty tea service set. 

That aside, this elephant has loads of personality and lots of possibility. As one of the ultimate icons of family and community, throughout history elephants have symbolized good luck, kindness, loyalty and patience. So along with a plethora of possibilities in the good use department, this guy also brings lots of positive energy your way too. 

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• Three bays for planting
• colorful character
• rare find
• handpainted

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition. There are no chips or cracks, except for one small chip measuring 1/4" inch on the corner of one of the side bays and one small chip on the inside rim of the top bay measuring 1/8th" inch. Both these chips are age-old, dark in color and make the overall character of the planter even more wonderful. Please see photos.

{SIZE}

Measures 5.25" inches (height) x 5.5" inches (width) x  5" inches (depth) and weighs 15 oz.