French Antique 19th Century Limestone Wellhead

A French antique stone wellhead of the 19th century, a massive hollowed block with a round outer wall and, unexpectedly, a many-sided inner opening: the throat is faceted, its flat angled faces dropping straight down into the hollow core while the outside stays one continuous curve. The limestone is a cool concrete gray with passages of chalky white, deeply pitted on the outer wall, and a band of rust-orange mineral staining clings to the flat upper rim.

It is 43 1/4 inches in diameter and 26 3/4 inches high, with an opening of 29 3/4 inches across. The walls are therefore nearly seven inches thick and the piece is very heavy; it travels on a pallet and is set by machine. Condition as found: coarse, weathered, with the staining and pitting that make a stone wellhead read as what it is.

Set over a cistern it does the job it was cut for. In the center of a courtyard it becomes the surround for a bubbling fountain; fitted with an arched iron spout it anchors a formal garden water feature. This antique wellhead has sold. We usually have similar well heads in the yard or on the water; ask and we will tell you what is current.