French Antique 18th Century Limestone Trough

A French antique limestone trough from the 18th century, wide and deep, with its outside cloaked in a deep green patina of moss over a pale gray-beige stone. The rim is thick and uneven, rounded and softened by weather rather than by tools. The interior is rough and dry, holding shadow in the chalky texture, and carries dark mineral staining from its years as a water trough. The walls have gentle waves in them and the lip is irregular all the way round.

It measures 77 inches wide, 52 inches deep and 26 inches high. The depth is unusual; at 52 inches it is nearly square and holds far more than a standard trough of the same length. It is French, 18th century, and comes as found. A piece of this mass is set by crane and wants a compacted base or a pad.

It works as a water basin or reflecting pool, where the dark interior gives the water depth, or as a raised planter for a grove of small olives, with the 26-inch height keeping the trees visible across the garden. On crushed gravel or weathered cobbles the green patina ties into the planting. This limestone trough is in the yard in Marina Del Rey; see it by appointment, or we will send more photographs and a quote.