Florists use floral foam today when arranging bouquets. Before foam was invented, however, flower frogs were used to achieve beautiful, airy arrangements. Flower frogs are made of metal, glass, or ceramics and actually date back to the Persians in the 13th century when side spouts were made on vases.
“Glass-disk frogs are flat on the bottom with a recession on the rim and were designed to sit on top of a matched vessel. Footed, domed frogs were meant to be set at the bottom of a vessel. Metal frogs were designed to sit at the bottom of a vessel and were not meant to be seen.”
Originally called flower holders or arrangers, flower frogs were first used in the United States in the early 1800’s. The devices peaked in popularity in the 1920’s and 1930’s, at which time over 20 companies manufactured a variety of styles. After the Depression and World War II, the making of flower frogs rapidly declined and ceased altogether after the invention of florist’s foam in 1954.
Flower frogs are still functional, of course, but today collectors have come to appreciate them as ornaments, and they are highly collectible.
Before 1870, flower frogs were so common that many manufacturers didn’t mark them. Most glass flower arrangers were part of a set including a bowl or vase, and the markings were more likely found on the larger piece instead of the frog insert. Higher end manufacturers including Heisy Glass, Cambridge Glass, and Davidson Glass did mark some of their flower frogs, but not all of them. Marks increase the value of the frog, but even unmarked frogs, especially rarer colors or styles have notable value.
You can display flower frogs in cabinets, arranged on a wall or table, or in the garden. Glass frogs make great pen holders, and you can use metal frogs to display pictures, recipes, or business cards. If you love gardening, consider using flower frogs to add color and interest to your outdoor collections.
Source: Yoest, Helen. “Flower Frogs”. Country Living, 2012
