Carved Italian Marble Stoup or Sink, circa 1800

These antique French Gothic style white limestone (Pierre Calcaire) pieces are old holy water vessels (stoups or 'benitiers' in French) are from a small chapel in the Drome departmen...

This monumental Italian wall fountain was hand-carved in verona rossa marble in the early 1900’s. Truly the work of a master mason, the fountain is comprised of four thick pieces of richly carved marble, with each piece weighing several hundred pounds. The marble has lovely salmon color with cream inclusions that has developed a soft patina. The 3 ¼” deep back wall is adorned with a repetitive C-scroll border. A winged lion mascaron hovers above a geometric panel filled with nondescript interlaced carvings. Below the panel is a scalloped shell with sprawling barbed rinceaux that flows between a pair of volute scrolls on the edge of the wall. The shell has a small, incised circle where a spout or tap can be placed, depending on the desired use. Beneath the vertical wall is an 8 ½” thick sinuous bowl embellished with thick quarter round molding. The front façade has a stylized coat of arms consisting of a shaped shield emblazoned with a fleur de lys. Inside the basin, the back wall has been carved with a pair of volute C-scrolls surrounding bundled leaves. At the base of the leaves is a small drainage hole. Three volutes highlight the luxurious column that sits on a rectangular plinth with two canted corners. All three volutes are in the traditional S-shape, with two of them flanking the larger channeled scroll. A small fleur de lys graces the front of the plinth, which has gently sloped top edges. There is a thin grooved molding near the base. A natural conversation piece for any courtyard or garden setting, the Renaissance style Italian wall fountain can be used indoors or outside. It could also be used as a large sink...