Hand-carved in Italy during the 1900’s, this small marble lobed basin would make a great vide-poche. A vide-poche (literally “empty pocket”) is a small storage bowl for everyday items, such as car keys, loose change, wallets, etc.

A marble basin of this size might have originally been used in a Catholic church as a holy water vessel. The gadrooned lobes carved along the outside give the appearance of a stylized scalloped shell. On the back of the shell is an excavated block of marble, which is how the basin would have been affixed to a wall. The beautiful beige colored marble with burgundy inclusions and white veining has been carved with a quarter round molding along the rim.  A versatile item, our small Italian marble shell basin can be used as a decorative bowl or object d’art. It can also be included in a bathroom installation, making a lovely soap dish.

CONDITION: Good condition with wear commensurate to age and use, including fleabites and minor losses. Light buildup and discoloration to the interior of the basin.