These large bowls saw lots of work in their day in the late 1800s. They worked in tandem with faisselles to make cheese. Fresh curds were placed over the pedestal in the middle of the bowl and the liquid (whey) would drain out of the mold and collect in the drainage bowl.

It's original purpose was so specific, that I truly feel it's potential uses are limitless. I like to think of the drainage bowl throwing free the shackles of oppression (collecting whey all day) and finally fulfilling its destiny and hundred year dream to be a fruit bowl at the center of a Sunday brunch table.

Any cheese lover, antique nut or Franco-phile on your gift list would get by this darkly glazed clay bowl. As a piece of hardware in the kitchen, there's nothing like it.