French Antique 19th Century Limestone Trough

A French antique limestone trough in the round form, from the 19th century, with the broad, low stance of a vessel that was never meant to be moved. The walls are thick, the rim is flat and wide enough to set a watering can on, and the surface has the dry, slightly open texture of limestone that has spent a very long time outdoors. The color is the muted gray of weathered French stone, deeper where water has run.

It measures 44 1/2 inches across and 29 1/2 inches high. Inside, the basin is 35 1/2 inches in diameter and about 19 inches deep, so the walls are thick. It is one of several round limestone troughs in our yard, each a little different in height and width. Condition is as found: weathered, with the small chips and staining expected of its age.

A piece this wide holds the center of a motor court or a gravel garden on its own. It also does well as the end stop of a long border, planted with a single fig or a mound of rosemary, or as a still-water basin with a simple jet. It is in our yard in Marina Del Rey; call for an appointment, or we will send you photographs and a delivered price.