© William Curtis Rolf

Chantilly stables, 18th century, trough

The circular indoor school is decorated with rich, naturally-painted sculptural decoration. It is especially concentrated around the trough that faces the entrance. The bottom of its vast niche is decorated with "congelated" (icicle-like decorations) framed by columns shaped like palm trees on which two children hold a large cartouche bearing the building's dedication. Water flowed from a mask to cascade down into two, shell-shaped stacked basins. Lead dolphins which supported the larger basin were melted down during the Revolution, as were the two horses made ​​of the same material, which had been placed on the edge of the basin. A masterpiece of Rococo art, this beautiful composition is flanked by two deer carved in high relief.