French Antique 19th Century Limestone Trough

A round French antique limestone trough of the 19th century, wider than it is tall, cut from a single block with walls a good four inches thick. The limestone has weathered to the soft, uneven gray that comes only from decades of rain and sun, with the rim rubbed smooth where buckets and hands have passed over it. It is a plain working piece, and its appeal is in exactly that.

The outside diameter is 43 inches and the height 29 1/2 inches; the basin inside is 34 1/2 inches across and about 22 inches deep. Those interior figures matter if you intend to plant it: there is room for a real root ball, not a token one. It is in sound condition with the pits, small chips and surface staining of a limestone trough that has done a century of service.

Set it on gravel at the end of an allée, in the center of a herb garden with lavender around its foot, or on a pool terrace as a planted counterweight to the water. It would also make a deep, calm basin for a low fountain. The trough is in Marina Del Rey; we are happy to show it, or to send measurements, photographs and a quote.