Small Italian Carved Marble Shell Basin or Vide Poche, 20th C

Description

Hand-carved in Italy during the 1900’s, this small marble shell basin would make a great vide-poche. A vide-poche (literally “empty … more Hand-carved in Italy during the 1900’s, this small marble shell 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.

Originally, a marble basin of this size might have been used in a Catholic church as holy water vessels. 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 burgundy colored marble has white veining with dotted gold and cream inclusions.

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. less