Antique French Cutting Board

Found in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, this large 19th-century French cutting board was cut from a single thick slab of wood, with a cutout handle at the top for carrying and a small foot at the base to keep it standing. The face is wide and tall, the kind of board made for the big work of a country kitchen - bread, pork, the leg of lamb on Sunday. The surface has darkened in patches from years of use, scored faintly in every direction and worn soft at the edges. Sylvie leans it against the wall behind a bowl of fruit, or carries it flat to the table laid with a round of cheese, a knife, and a small jar of honey.