Animal Planters
Meet animal planters in ceramic and stoneware — from zebra to cat, perfect for plants and storage.
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At Dims Studio, you’ll find quirky animal planters handpicked by Dinna. Here you’ll meet everything from colorful cats to zebras and monkeys. These planters are chosen for their humor, details, and ability to catch the eye in your home.
Materials and sizes for every need
Choose from glazed ceramic, stoneware, and porcelain planters. Some models are small enough for the windowsill, while others suit larger floor plants. You’ll find planters both with and without drainage holes.
Expressions from well-known brands
- Quail’s British animal figures with fine details
- Rice’s colorful and imaginative animals
- &Klevering’s playful Dutch designs
- Bloomingville’s Nordic style with animal motifs
Fun animals and functional shapes
The planters depict everything from cats, dogs, and monkeys to giraffes and zebras. Use them as plant pots, for storing small items, or as decoration on a shelf. Some models feature hand-painted details, others have a more minimalist style.
Create a personal interior with animal planters
An animal planter from Dims Studio adds a playful and colorful touch to your decor. Use them individually or gather several different ones for a lively look. All designs are carefully selected by Dinna, so you get something that stands out from the ordinary.
Animal jars are the category where function and figure meet: a small vase shaped like a leopard, a pencil holder with tiger stripes, or a shell jar in brass with a lid. At Dims Studio the selection is built around hand-painted stoneware from Quail, a dolomite pot cover from Kersten and a brass jar from Doing Goods, so you can find an animal figure that is both practical and a treat to look at on the shelf.
Types of animal jars: vase, pencil holder and jar with lid
The term animal jars covers several things in practice, depending on whether the container has a lid, is open at the top, or is shaped for a specific purpose. In our selection the three types often overlap: the same figure can be used as a vase for a single flower, as a pencil holder on the desk, or for storing small items.
Animal vase
An animal vase is an open container shaped like or decorated with an animal, typically for a single branch or a few stems. Quail's stoneware vases, such as the leopard, panda, zebra and tiger vase, belong to this type. They are hand-painted and watertight, so they can be used with real water for a ranunculus or tulip, but work just as well empty as a sculptural figure. See the full selection of animal vases.
Pencil holder and toothbrush holder
Several of Quail's animal figures are designed to have more than one function. The tiger pencil holder is a clear example: the same shape works as a small vase on the desk, as a holder for pencils and markers, or as a toothbrush holder in the bathroom. That makes the figure flexible, whether it ends up in the kids' room, the office or by the sink.
Jar with lid
A proper jar has a lid and is used mainly for storage rather than flowers. In the selection it's Abby, the shell jar from Doing Goods, that represents this type: a handmade jar in brass with a lid shaped like a shell. It suits rings, earrings and other small jewellery you want gathered in one place instead of scattered on the table.
Pot cover with animal motif
A pot cover is an extra sleeve around the plant pot that hides the original plastic pot and works as decoration in its own right. The pink-striped pot cover from Kersten is shaped as a bird with lemons in dolomite and can be used both with a plant in its original pot and empty as a sculptural object on the table. See more in the category pot covers.
| Type | Open or with lid | Typically used for | Examples in the selection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal vase | Open | Single flower or empty as a figure | Leopard, panda, zebra and tiger vase from Quail |
| Pencil holder | Open | Pencils, markers, brushes or toothbrushes | Tiger pencil holder from Quail |
| Jar with lid | Lid | Jewellery and small items | Abby shell jar from Doing Goods |
| Pot cover | Open | Plant in its original pot, or empty as decoration | Pink-striped pot cover from Kersten |
Materials: stoneware, dolomite and brass
The material determines both how the animal jar feels and how it should be treated day to day. In our selection of animal jars you'll encounter three materials.
Stoneware
Stoneware is a type of ceramic fired at high temperature, which makes it solid and watertight. Quail's animal figures, such as the leopard, panda, tiger, zebra and panther vases plus the cockapoo vase, are all hand-painted in stoneware. Because they're painted by hand, the colour tones vary slightly from piece to piece, making your figure a unique example. Stoneware can hold water, but should always be wiped with a damp cloth rather than put in the dishwasher, unless stated otherwise on the product.
Dolomite
Dolomite is a ceramic clay type that resembles stoneware in weight and feel but is often used for more sculptural, detailed shapes. The pink-striped pot cover from Kersten is cast in dolomite, which allows for the fine details in the bird's feathers and the textile-like lemon motifs. Dolomite is best cleaned with a damp cloth and should not stand in direct sun for long periods if the colours are to stay vivid.
Brass
Brass is a metal alloy of copper and zinc that gives a warm, golden surface and can develop a light patina over time. Abby the shell jar from Doing Goods is handmade with a lid in brass shaped like a shell. Brass is easiest to wipe with a dry or slightly damp cloth, and you can polish it if you want to keep it shiny, or let the patina develop naturally.
| Material | Feel | Care | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stoneware | Solid, hand-painted, watertight | Damp cloth, avoid dishwasher unless stated otherwise | Quail's animal vases and pencil holder |
| Dolomite | Detailed, sculptural | Damp cloth, avoid extended direct sun | Kersten's pot cover |
| Brass | Warm, golden, can develop patina | Dry or slightly damp cloth, polish as needed | Doing Goods shell jar |
Animal jars around the home
Because many of the animal jars are small, they can be moved around and used in different spots depending on your needs. Here are some of the rooms they suit well.
Desk and office
The tiger pencil holder is made for exactly this: gathering pencils, markers and pens in one place on the desk. Pair it with one of the smaller animal vases for a single branch, so the desk gets both order and a touch of colour.
Bathroom
Several of Quail's figures can work as a toothbrush holder, making them a fun alternative to the classic bathroom glass. Combine with the bird-shaped pot cover from Kersten on the shelf beside it, if there's room for a small plant.
Kids' room
The animal figures in colours like leopard, zebra and panda are a natural fit for the kids' room, both as storage for erasers and hair ties and as figures that can simply stand out without needing a specific purpose. Several of the figures can be gathered into a small flock on the shelf.
Living room and shelf
The jar from Doing Goods with its brass lid and the hand-painted stoneware vase from Quail work well as a still life on an open shelf, ideally grouped together in a set of two to three pieces in different sizes and materials, so the look stays varied without feeling cluttered.
Entryway and dining table
The bird-shaped pot cover from Kersten works as an eye-catcher on its own on a console table in the entryway or as a centrepiece on the dining table, where the lemon motif and pink stripes give a festive look without taking up too much space.
Sizes of animal jars
Most animal jars in the selection are small and compact, making them easy to place in several spots without taking up too much room.
| Size | Examples in the selection | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. 10 cm | Panda vase, tiger pencil holder, mini leopard and tiger vase from Quail | Desk, windowsill, bathroom shelf |
| Approx. 11 cm | Leopard vase, small, from Quail | Desk, bedside table, shelf |
| Approx. 15 cm | Pink-striped pot cover from Kersten | Console table, dining table, windowsill |
The exact dimensions vary from figure to figure, and you'll find the precise centimetres on each individual product.
The brands behind our animal jars
We've gathered animal jars from three brands, each working with figures and animal motifs in their own way.
Quail
Quail is a British brand known for hand-painted animal figures in stoneware. Their vases and pencil holders are shaped like animals such as leopard, panda, tiger, zebra, panther and cockapoo, and because each figure is painted by hand, there's always a small variation from piece to piece. Quail accounts for the majority of our animal jars, precisely because the brand combines detailed motifs with a practical, multi-functional shape. See the full selection of Quail vases.
Kersten
Kersten supplies the bird-shaped pot cover in dolomite with lemons and pink stripes. The brand works with sculptural, detailed ceramic shapes where the motif is intended as a standalone artistic element, whether the pot cover is used with a plant or left empty.
Doing Goods
Doing Goods is behind Abby the shell jar, a handmade jar in brass shaped like a shell with a lid topped by a shell-shaped knob. The brand often works with handmade details and organic shapes, giving the jar a tactile and organic feel compared to the painted stoneware figures from Quail.
| Brand | Material | Characteristics | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quail | Stoneware | Hand-painted animal figures, multiple functions in one shape | Desk, bathroom, kids' room |
| Kersten | Dolomite | Detailed, sculptural motifs | Console table, dining table, entryway |
| Doing Goods | Brass | Handmade, organic, with lid | Jewellery storage, shelf, gift |
How to keep the colours and surface in good shape
What the hand-painted and handmade materials in our selection have in common is that they last longest when treated gently. A damp cloth is usually enough to keep stoneware and dolomite clean day to day, and you should avoid harsh cleaning agents that can wear on the glaze or the painted pattern. Direct sunlight over long periods can fade colours over time, so a spot away from constant, direct sun will extend the figure's look. The brass jar from Doing Goods needs the least maintenance: either let it patina naturally for a more rustic look, or polish it a few times a year if you prefer the shiny, freshly polished surface.
Gather a small flock of animal jars
Because the figures are compact, it's easy to gather several on the same shelf without it looking cluttered. Try combining two or three stoneware figures from Quail in different animal motifs with the brass jar from Doing Goods, so you get variation in both material and colour. Place the smallest figure at the front and the largest at the back, so they all get their due, and let the motifs talk to each other, for example by grouping animals found in nature on the same continent, or simply going for colours that match the rest of the room.
Animal jars as a gift idea
Because the figures are small and relatively easy to wrap, they make an obvious gift idea, whether it's a hostess gift, a birthday present or a small token for someone who loves animals or colourful decor. Pair a Quail figure with a writing tool or jewellery they can use it for from day one, or give the brass jar from Doing Goods together with a pair of earrings, so the recipient has a place to keep them right away.
How to choose the right animal jar
If you're unsure which figure suits your needs best, take your cue from what the jar will mainly be used for.
| Situation | Our recommendation |
|---|---|
| You want to keep pencils and markers tidy on the desk | The tiger pencil holder from Quail |
| You're looking for a toothbrush holder for the bathroom | One of Quail's stoneware figures, such as the panda or tiger vase |
| You need to store rings and earrings in one place | Abby the shell jar in brass from Doing Goods |
| You want an eye-catcher for the dining table or entryway | The bird-shaped pot cover from Kersten |
| You want to put a single flower or branch in a small vase | One of Quail's animal vases, for example the leopard or zebra vase |
| The jar will be used in the kids' room | The panda or cockapoo vase from Quail in a friendly, colourful look |
| You need to give a personal gift | A hand-painted Quail figure or the brass jar from Doing Goods, both in smaller sizes that are easy to wrap |
Frequently asked questions about animal jars
What is an animal jar?
An animal jar is a container shaped like or decorated with an animal motif. In our selection the term covers several types: open vases, combined pencil and toothbrush holders, a jar with a lid and a pot cover with an animal motif.
What's the difference between an animal jar and an animal vase?
A jar typically has a lid and is used for storage, while a vase is open and used for flowers. In practice, several of the figures in the selection are multi-functional: the same stoneware shape can be used both as a vase and as a holder for pencils or toothbrushes.
Can Quail's animal vases be used for real flowers?
Yes, the stoneware vases from Quail are watertight and can be used with water for a single flower or branch. They work just as well empty as a sculptural figure on a shelf.
How do I clean an animal jar in stoneware or dolomite?
Wipe the figure with a damp cloth. We recommend avoiding the dishwasher unless stated otherwise on the individual product, so the hand-painted pattern stays looking good for as long as possible.
How do I care for an animal jar in brass?
Wipe the brass jar with a dry or slightly damp cloth. If you want to keep the shiny surface, you can polish it regularly, otherwise the brass will develop a natural patina over time.
What size animal jar should I choose?
Most figures in the selection are small, from around 10 to 15 cm. Choose based on where the jar will sit and what it will be used for: a small figure on the desk takes up less space than a pot cover for the dining table.
What can I store in Abby the shell jar from Doing Goods?
The jar suits small jewellery such as rings and earrings, or other small items you want gathered in one place, such as hair ties or safety pins.
Can the pot cover from Kersten be used without a plant?
Yes. The pot cover can be used with a plant in its original pot, but it also works well empty as a sculptural element on the table or shelf.
Are animal jars from Quail unique pieces?
The figures are hand-painted, which means the colour tones and details can vary slightly from piece to piece, even though the motif is the same.
Do animal jars suit the kids' room?
Yes, the colourful animal figures from Quail, such as the panda and cockapoo vase, are popular in the kids' room, both as figures and for storing small items like erasers and hair ties.
Are animal jars good gifts?
Yes. Both the hand-painted stoneware figures from Quail and the brass jar from Doing Goods make compact, personal gifts that suit birthdays, housewarmings or a small token of appreciation.
What's the difference between an animal jar and a regular pot cover?
A regular pot cover is usually a simple, round or oval sleeve without a figurative motif. An animal jar like the pot cover from Kersten is shaped like a specific animal or motif, making it a standalone decorative element regardless of whether there's a plant in it.