Antique/Vintage French Grape Hod or ‘Hotte’ c.1900

Once an essential tool of the French grape harvest, this traditional Hotte was carried on the back throughout the vineyards of Avignon and the Gironde, gathering bunches of grapes by hand long before mechanical picking took over. Made in galvanised metal and painted with the historic Châteauneuf-du-Pape name and papal crest – a lineage that reaches back to the 14th Century, when the Popes resided in Avignon – it carries the spirit of the region’s great winemaking heritage.

We source these Hods in and around Avignon, though each year they become scarcer. Their distinctive form is typical of the Gironde and Mediterranean regions – Beziers, Corsica, and the sun-drenched vineyards that border the Rhône. Traditionally decorated with folk art or the name of the local Château, they were often painted with pride, celebration, and deep reverence for the vineyard they served.

Dating from around 1880–1940, our French Hods now lend themselves beautifully to contemporary living: think log baskets by the fire, champagne or wine coolers overflowing with ice for summer gatherings and weddings, dramatic floral displays, or as handsome planters in the garden.

Sizes approximate.