I just love this little planter, which features what I believe is a Garden of Eden scene in bas relief. One one side is a nude Eve, reclining underneath a tree, and on the opposite is a nude Adam in a similar reclining pose. In between are lots of putti! I believe the planter is made of a white terra-cotta, and that this vessel was made using a mold, which resulted in terrific details on the faces and bodies of the figures and the widely branching trees. These relief elements are amplified by a sort of a bronze finish, while the recessed elements are the color of the clay. My guess is that this little vessel is Italian and dates to the late 19th century.
I found this piece at an estate sale in Kansas City at a mansion loaded with many fine antiques. It is in great antique condition and measures 3 7/8" wide x 3 1/2" deep x 2 1/2" tall.
