Identify & Date a Sink Please!

[waxwing67]

Good morning good people,

I would like to know absolutely anything at all about this sink (link to pictures below)i.e. date or period, usage, value etc. It was unearthed in Leicestershire a few years ago, it was at a depth of approximately 6 feet down. Your help would be greatly appreciated.


http://s463.photobucket.com/user/PorkChop1967/library/Sink

[Rauville]

Welcome to the forum.

The following link show some early sinks offered for sale in Canada. I can only imagine what it costs to ship a stone sink from the UK!
http://www.uniquities.ca/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=21_25

[waxwing67]

Thankyou for taking the time to reply to my request - much appreciated!

[KC]

With 3 rough sides and 1 smooth, it appears that it went inset in a structure/cabinet.  This reminds me of the earlier earthen sinks that were used for laundry/scrubbing.  Shallow on the end for hand kneading, yet angled to let water drain easily.  HOWEVER...i do recall a much longer version of a sink similar to this in The Winchester House in California (downstairs where the servants did the dishes - they were washed in the deeper area so as not to break easily and then drained on the shallow end.  The sink was also used for laundry!)

I would love one like this in my garden!

Great piece!  Love these kinds of finds!  

[talesofthesevenseas]

Oh my gosh that is incredibly cool! I just happen to have a friend who is a retired archaeologist. I will see if she has some thoughts on it. I'm going to take a wild guess that this is ancient rather than antique. I am guessing that it will be connected to some ancient settlement in your area. Roman maybe? I would research the ancient history of your area. This is really REALLY cool...

[frogpatch]

I tend to go along with the washing theory of KC. It makes sense. I love the piece. I have an old pump and I would love to combine the two pieces and make a water feature in my garden.

[mart]

I am with Tales and Rauville on this one !! Rauvilles link shows similar ancient sinks !!

[waxwing67]

Again, thank you good people I really appreciate your input! Sorry 'frogpatch' I couldn't possibly part with it!! Thanks again.

[talesofthesevenseas]

It looks like your local university has a good archaeology department. I would check with them about your wonderful sink, they would likely be very familiar with the ancient people of your area: http://www2.le.ac.uk/departments/archaeology

[mart]

Excellent idea !! If it were mine I sure would be knocking on their door !!  Great find !!

[waxwing67]

Thank you 'talesofthesevenseas' for your advice, e-mail sent to them this morning!! I will keep you all posted on their response. Thanks again.

[KC]

Would love to hear the outcome of this!