The Rare & Valuable Garden Décor That Collectors Always Hope To Find At The Thrift Store

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If you love collecting rare vintage items to adorn your outdoor living spaces, there is one garden decoration you should always keep an eye out for at the thrift store. While some vintage-look items were actually manufactured fairly recently, this unique outdoor décor could be truly antique. Authentically old Chinese rose medallion garden stools are an ornate display of historic artistry. For those who are passionate about elaborate designs and home décor history, these exceptional accessories are a rare but exciting find at thrift stores — though they're also available for sale elsewhere. Either way, they are outdoor-friendly antiques you shouldn't overlook for your garden.

The history of the rose medallion garden stool is fascinating. Near the end of the 17th century, Chinese painters started adding more colors to the previously blue-and-white porcelain palette. Europeans fell in love with this vibrant, multicolored look. The French dubbed it the famille rose for its principally pink tones. The floral medallions are actually peonies rather than roses, and they're often surrounded by nature scenes in shades of blue, yellow, and green. Unless you're lucky enough to find one while thrifting, the stools range in price. A single stool might cost upwards of several hundred dollars, while a rare, highly intricate pair could sell for tens of thousands of dollars.

Chinese rose medallion stools are undoubtedly a sought-after antique home item people are snatching up fast when thrifting. If you want a genuine antique stool for your patio or cottage garden, examine the outside. The decorations are more ornate and the details, like facial features, are more defined in older pieces. While items made in the late 19th and early 20th centuries may feature a China or Made in China stamp on the base, there are usually no stamps, signatures, or maker's marks on the oldest antique pieces. Consult an auction house or antique shop for verification of authenticity on an unmarked piece. The weight of the stool is also important — old Chinese porcelain is typically lighter than modern wares and rings when tapped.

You can make your garden feel more sentimental with this nostalgia gardening trend. Use one as a side table next to a patio couch, or group a few stools of different sizes and styles together to create a practical outdoor coffee table. Glazed porcelain is generally safe to use outdoors, but it's always best practice to bring your pricey antique stool inside during below-freezing temperatures or heavy rainfall. Indoors, you can incorporate the stool into your interior design if you prefer to keep it perfectly preserved. An antique garden stool would look beautiful as a side table, nightstand, or foyer accent piece. If you can't find or afford an authentic vintage piece or have yet to stumble across one while thrifting, invest in a modern interpretation, like this Red Lantern 18-Inch Rose Medallion Porcelain Garden Stool.