French Antique Round Limestone Trough

A French antique round limestone trough with a richly textured, pale cream exterior. The coarse outer walls taper toward the base, where patches of warm terracotta-colored earth staining remain from the ground it stood on. The thick, uneven rim gives way to a surprisingly smooth interior, and a dark drain hole has been cut high on the inner wall.

It measures 31 inches in diameter and 17 inches high. The contrast between the rough outside and the smooth bowl is the character of the piece; the rim is worn and irregular, as a working trough should be. It is heavy and travels on a pallet.

At the center of a gravel garden the low bowl makes a still reflecting pool; under a bronze water rose it catches a steady fall of water; set a few inches into a paved terrace it becomes the catch basin of a courtyard fountain. Against dark metal panels or a bed of black river stones the pale rim reads clearly. This limestone trough has sold. We usually have other round troughs in the yard or on the water from France; ask and we will send what is current.