In the world of decorative arts and historical interior design, the word "tole" is the official term for a type of painted metal. With its roots in the 18th-century French decorative traditions (from the French
tôle peinte, meaning "painted sheet metal"), household items made of tin and other metals like pewter or thin steel were often embellished with folk art-style floral motifs and gold accents.
These utilitarian objects--trays, canisters, coffee pots, sconces, even chandeliers--were transformed into works of art through the application of enamel paint and varnish. Toleware was especially popular in America during the 18th and early 19th centuries, where it often reflected the rustic charm of early colonial homes. Practicality was at the heart of toleware, but artisans elevated these everyday items with painterly elegance, making them ideal for kitchens, pantries, and dining rooms.
There were even lamps with tole embellishment...a type of lamp developed during the Napoleon-helmed Empire style was the bouillote (
boo-yacht) lamp which at the time held candles. In the 20th century, these antique lamps got rewired to hold bulbs but happily the metal shades remained.
There was a toleware revival in the 1920s to the 1950s where we see chandeliers with intricate vines and flowers made from pressed tin and steel. Such lights can be a great addition to eclectic or maximalist interiors or with Chinoiserie or Regency-inspired design.
Happy designing!
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