Antique Fountain - 1930-1940

This object is an antique French tin wall fountain (also known as a lavabo or fontaine murale), decorated with a figurative dolphin and a shell-shaped water basin. This type of decorative water feature traditionally dates from the late 19th century or the early 20th century (circa 1900).

Features of the object
Material: The casting is entirely made of high-quality étain (tin), mounted on an elegantly shaped oak wall shelf with a small console shelf to support the catch basin.
Design: The upper water tank is cast in the shape of a stylized dolphin or sea creature that stands on its head, with the tail fins adorning the top. The water faucet protrudes straight from the mouth of the fish. Below hangs a matching basin in the shape of a scallop shell.
Historical function: Originally, this type of lavabo hung in the hall, dining room, or kitchen of French country houses. The tank was manually filled with water so that hands could be washed quickly. Today they are mainly used as decorative eye-catchers in a rustic interior or covered garden.