French Antique Limestone Round Trough

A French antique limestone trough in a strong cylindrical form, with thick walls, a flat upper rim and a deep open interior. A pronounced horizontal joint wraps the lower section and separates the body from a rough scalloped base, and a small opening near the bottom of the side wall served as its drain. The surface has built up a rich patina outdoors: dark ash gray and muted sand under dense green moss and spots of orange lichen, coarse and heavily pitted, with rough tool marks across the stone.

It measured 34 inches in diameter and 24 inches high; the basin was 29 3/4 inches across and about 17 1/2 inches deep. Inside, the exposed limestone was raw and porous against the darker exterior. Condition as found: moss, lichen and mineral stains intact, nothing scrubbed.

A round stone trough of this kind holds clipped shrubs or trailing greenery in a courtyard or gravel garden, or takes a jet as a fountain, where the water darkens the stone further. It sits well against limewashed walls or aged brick. This limestone trough has sold. We usually have similar round troughs in the yard or on the water; ask and we will tell you what is current.