There is a refreshing lack of pretense in old garden tools. Before the invention of modern plastic foam, florists relied on these heavy, rather menacing-looking devices to coerce floral arrangements into staying exactly where they were told.
Dating from the early-to-mid 20th century, this rectangular flower frog—or kenzan—is cast from a solid, reassuringly heavy block of lead, fitted with dozens of needle-sharp brass spikes. The underside retains much of its original mottled, reddish-brown factory lacquer coating.
While still entirely functional for the modern florist practicing sustainable, foam-free floral design, these frogs have found a secondary lease of life among collectors. They are frequently repurposed on creative desktops to hold fountain pens upright, display vintage postcards, or simply sit on a greenhouse shelf as a tactile piece of rustic garden history.

Specifications & Measurements

• Dimensions: Measures approximately 4.5 inches in length by 2 inches in width (approx. 11.5 cm x 5 cm).
• Materials: Cast lead base, brass needle pins.
• Era: Early-to-mid 20th Century (Circa 1930-1950).