**Antique French Dairy Bowl — c.19th Century

One of my favourite things,  A large Coopered Wood Bowl with Brass Bands (81 cm)**  

Description

A seriously impressive antique French dairy bowl, measuring a full 81 cm in diameter — the sort of scale that immediately tells you this was made for work, not decoration. Traditionally used in dairies for resting and separating milk and cream, bowls of this size were essential equipment in rural France before refrigeration did everyone out of a job.

This example is coopered from solid timber staves and reinforced with original brass bands, giving it strength, weight and a presence that’s hard to ignore. It has that deep, warm colour that only comes from decades of use, exposure and quiet utility. Nothing flashy, nothing unnecessary — just honest materials doing exactly what they were meant to do.

At 81 cm, this is exceptionally large. Pieces of this scale are increasingly hard to find intact, and today they’re prized less for dairy work and more for the way they anchor a space.

Condition Report

• Solid coopered timber construction, structurally sound

• Original brass bands intact with age-related patina

• Expected surface wear, marks and darkening from long use

• Natural shrinkage lines and surface checking consistent with age

• Recently cleaned and finished with linseed oil and a hard wax, enhancing the timber while retaining its original patina

• No modern structural repairs

Overall, a genuine, well-preserved antique with excellent presence and character.

Dimensions

Approx. 81 cm diameter
(Height consistent with traditional French dairy bowl forms)

Styling & Use

• Striking centrepiece on a large table or kitchen island

• Ideal for French provincial, farmhouse or rustic interiors

• Works beautifully as a fruit or bread bowl, or as a sculptural object

• Large enough to stand alone without additional styling

Provenance

French rural dairy equipment, 19th century
Hand-coopered timber with brass reinforcement

Shipping & Delivery

Medium and heavy items require a custom shipping quote.
Melbourne Wednesday delivery is available (quoted individually).
Free pickup is available in Bendigo — the exact address is provided after your order is confirmed.