Oak Kneader on Removable Base, 1800s

Details

Description

A 19th-century kneading trough on a removable stand with a lid, made entirely of solid oak. The rustic, pegged base … Read more A 19th-century kneading trough on a removable stand with a lid, made entirely of solid oak. The rustic, pegged base features angled legs. This large-capacity trough has a protective interior finish of wax and vegetable oils, suitable for food contact. The top is composed of four 25mm-thick planks.

A lovely decorative piece, it could also be used as a storage chest or planter. This kneading trough is located in an old stone house in the heart of a small village in the south of France.
Since the 12th century, women have had a wooden trough at their disposal in which they kneaded bread dough. They simply kneaded the dough with their fist, then beat portions of it against the trough. Bread was (and still is) an essential food on the table during a meal… especially in France! At the time, bread made it easy to fill the stomach with few ingredients, thus feeding large families with limited means. See less