Antiques for your Edwardian Summer Garden Party inspiration
Posted by Chris on 14/06/2024
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Summer is finally here…nearly. And with it comes everything the Great British garden party has to offer: drinks on the terrace, flowers, sunshine (hopefully), all served with a touch of class.
If there was one thing that the Edwardians did well, it was gardens. It was during the 1900s and 1910s that Gertrude Jekyll was prolific in her garden designs, favouring irises and all manner of blousy flowers. Architects like Sir Edwin Lutyens were also hard at work, designing orangeries and formal gardens all over the UK.
So today we’re looking at antiques for your Edwardian summer garden party inspiration.
In this article:
Garden furniture
Edwardians were into their garden furniture, often bringing the formal into the informal spaces. Think wicker and bamboo chairs and settees, and occasional wine and nesting tables.
Edwardian antique garden furniture inspiration:
Garden bench in the Jekyll / Lutyens style, late Edwardian (pictured above). Price: £PLEASE ENQUIRE - view this item
A Painted Pine, Full-Sized Oaten-Straw Back Orkney Chair. Price £1,850 / $2,365 - view this item
Antique Edwardian Inlaid Marquetry Sofa Settee. Price £PLEASE ENQUIRE - view this item
Edwardian Georgian Style Occasional or Wine Table by Tozer of London. Price £875 / $1,115 - view this item
Edwardian Bamboo Nesting Tables. Price £595 / $760 - view this item
Mahogany Inlaid Open Armchair. Price £275 / $350 - view this item
Edwardian Wicker Basket (pictured above) - great for blankets, food & drink. Price: £270 / $345 - view this item
Gardening
Gardening was high up the Edwardians' agenda, with a new style emerging after the relatively dull terraced gardens of the Victorians. See this at Hestercombe Gardens, in Taunton, where the 'off the shelf' Victorian terrace, with rows of bedding plants and a central water fountain (literally chosen from a catalogue) contrasts beautifully with the sunken parterre of Jekyll / Lutyens design - with a completely different, empathetic style of planting and hard landscaping.
It's here at Hestercombe that the Orangery and lawn really give you a sense of how the Edwardians might have enjoyed their gardens - with the huge in-built stone bottle coolers in the Orangery showing that this was a place they liked to enjoy themselves.
Edwardian garden antique inspiration:
Antique Decorative Cherub Jardiniere with Putti decor, Bretby stamp (pictured above). Price £895 / £1,145 - view this item
Stunning Quality Antique Edwardian Wedgwood Jardiniere in blue. Price £425 / $545 - view this item
Fine Quality Antique Edwardian Cut Glass and Silver Plated Spill Vase. Price £295 / $375 - view this item
Food & drink
Perhaps somewhat less lavish than their Georgian counterparts, Edwardians still enjoyed formalities and accoutrements to accompany their outdoor garden party activities, and would have brought out all manner of jugs, containers, cutlery and glassware for their food and drink.
Edwardian antique food and drink inspiration:
Edwardian four piece tea set by Walker and Hall. Price: £475 / $605 - view this item
Silver Plated Tiffin Box. Price £295 / $375 - view this item
Attractive Edwardian Silver Plated Bottle Holder (pictured above). Price: £695 / $885 - view this item
Cut Glass & Silver Plate Peach bowl (pictured above). Price: £595 / $760 - view this item
Edwardian Cake Stand. Price: £75 / $95 - view this item
Unusual Edwardian Majolica Jug. Price: £325 / $415 - view this item
Set of Three Painted Serving Jugs. Price: £185 / $235 - view this item
Wine & champagne
You simply can't have a teetotal Edwardian garden party - they were very fond of their wine and champagne. That's why you'll need an ice bucket, wine glasses and decanters - plus a serving tray to bring all your lovely booze out on.
Edwardian antique wine and champagne inspiration:
Edwardian Silver Plated Ice Bucket. Price: £345 / $440 - view this item
Six Edwardian 'Webb' Wine Glasses. Price: £175 / $223 - view this item
Glass Port Decanter (pictured above). Price: £875 / $1,115 - view this item
Glass Magnum Decanter. Price: £445 / $568 - view this item
Hammered Edwardian Sterling Silver Hip Flask (pictured below). Price: £575 / $735 - view this item
Attractive Handbeaten copper serving tray. Price: £575 / $735 - view this item
Bonus item
As an Edwardian gentleman, you will of course need to play golf. But forget about getting the latest Titleist V1 ball - you can make your own instead.
Edwardian Cast Iron Gutta Golf Ball Maker (pictured below). Price: £900 / $1,150 - view this item
Read next
Enjoyed reading this? We have other garden-related antique blog posts that you might be interested in.
Read 'Ten Antique Pieces You Need For Your Garden This Summer', and 'Flowers in Antiques: why our lives would be dull without them'.
Plus:
> A brief history of antique garden sculpture and furniture
> Antique garden furniture and vintage ornaments you must have in your garden this summer