19th Century French Rouen Hand-Painted Faience Wall Lavabo Fountain

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Crafted in Rouen, Normandy, circa 1890, this elegant antique French wall fountain, known as a "lavabo" or "fontaine murale," is … Read more Crafted in Rouen, Normandy, circa 1890, this elegant antique French wall fountain, known as a "lavabo" or "fontaine murale," is a beautiful example of traditional French faience craftsmanship. The decorative three-piece ensemble includes a ceramic water reservoir with removable lid and metal spigot, a matching catch basin, and a shaped wooden wall bracket.

The sculptural reservoir features a graceful, tapered silhouette with a shaped lid crowned by an elaborate foliate finial. The hand-painted decoration showcases intricate floral garlands, scrolling foliage, and a charming basket filled with flowers and wheat sheaves. The traditional Rouen-style palette combines rich cobalt blue, warm ochre yellow, iron red, and green against a creamy white background, accented with delicate blue dotted motifs. A pewter-tone spigot extends from the lower section, positioned above the matching scalloped basin, which is richly decorated with coordinating floral and foliate designs.

Before indoor plumbing became common, these wall-mounted lavabos were found in French homes, providing a convenient place for washing hands. Water stored in the upper reservoir flowed through the spigot into the basin below.

The antique faience fountain is in excellent condition commensurate with age and use, retaining its vibrant colors and beautiful glazed finish. Perfect for a kitchen, entryway, or powder room, the decorative basin could also be used as a planter for herbs or flowers.

Dimensions: 14"W x 8.25"D x 39"H. See less