French Antique 19th Century Limestone Wellhead

A low French antique stone wellhead of the 19th century, a thick limestone ring with a deeply hollowed center and a heavily distressed outer wall. The color is mottled: charcoal, faded beige and chalky white over the weathered surface. Two deep, jagged gashes cut into the thick rim and expose the inner grain of the stone, and the gently sloped interior is smooth where the crusty, pitted outer wall is rough.

It measures 33 1/2 by 33 inches and stands 13 inches high. The low height is the point; this is a collar rather than a column, meant to sit near the ground and frame what passes through it. Condition as found: the gashes are old and honest, and we would not want them filled.

A ring like this makes a bubbling fountain base in a quiet garden, a roundabout feature in the center of a cobbled drive, or a surround for a courtyard drain set among tall grasses. It sits well on river rock or beside a reclaimed terracotta path, and dark bronze hardware nearby picks up its weathered crevices. This stone wellhead has sold. We usually have similar antique wellheads in the yard or on the water; ask us and we will send what is current.