Tole Painting has been around since the 18th century. It started in New England as a form of painted decoration. It was also popular among German Immigrants in the Amish countryside. French tole paint, also started in the 18th century is usually done with black on on a solid back background and still very prized.

5 Years ago or so it was very popular along with chabby chic.

Today it depends on the part of the country and what the painting is. Some is very colorful (the magazine rack was painted by your editor’s mother in the 1950’s) some is done with just gold or white on a solid background and some was done in black (popular) with French tole painting.

Tole painting was originally done mainly on tin and some wooden items.  As time passed many different metals as well as wood were used. Everything from coffee pots, magazine racks, as well as hope chests, planters, and a variety of items are tole painted.

Look for different and great pieces of tole at estate sales, from lamps to trays, coffee pots to waste baskets.

Today tole painting is worldwide thanks to the Society of Decorative Painters

Here are some samples of tole painting from Pinterest,  accessoriesabroad.com,  Ruby Lane, and Antiques.com