How many ‘frogs’ do you have? How many did your Mom or Grandma have? Frogs were used in the bottom of vases to hold the flower stems just right. They are usually metal basket weave grid, or fine textured metal spikes or made of clear or colored glass disk with holes. Shapes are round or square and only an inch or so tall.
In the 30s, 40s, and 50s especially, our mothers and grandmothers would use them when arranging flowers and these would hold the stems in any size vase or bowl. The spiky ones are good for thin, slender stems, those with holes are better for the thicker stems of daffodils and lilies and ‘hairpin’ frogs with wire loops are best for fruit tree cuttings and thicker branches.
Judy Weiss says, “I have a lot of garden collectibles but one of my favorite to look for are vintage flower frogs. So many unique shapes and different colors! They were made out of a lot of different materials ~ bronze, lead, glass, ceramic, etc…. I find them at flea markets, antique malls and even the occasional yard sales. I have a lot of the clear glass ones but these are a few of my favorite ones.
The ceramic one just above the large center one is a Roseville one that was made in your home state of Ohio! I found it at a Flea Market!”
Judy says, “Aren’t these fun to collect? They are certainly more interesting to look @ than the floral foam they use today to anchor flower arrangements!”
Frogs were used in the bottom of vases to hold the flower stems just right. Where to find them? The usual places, Flea Markets, yard sales, thrift shops, eBay and antique stores. They can be kept with your vases, arranged on a hutch or shelf or hung on a wall in a potting shed.
Vintage flower frogs are relatively inexpensive, look great displayed in groups, and come in many different shapes, sizes, styles, colors, and materials. Frogs make it easier to create floral arrangements, …a flower frog sits at the bottom of a vase and holds the flower stems in place.
Diana Daily says, “My small collection of frogs. I guess my favorite would be the flower. They are antique flower frogs. They were and still are used to help hold flowers for an arrangement.
Three of these were gifts from a friend who has an antique shop but I am always on the lookout for unusual ones.”
Marta King shows us, “Just part of my frog collection!”
A Brief History of Flower Frogs
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I didn't know there were so many ... collectibles ... I only knew of the 'glass frog' .... wow...great collections shared here! Thanks!
Oh my! I have seen so many different kinds of these at thrift stores and I never knew what they were!! How interesting!!