As soon as I saw this wash basin I knew that the plug would not close to retain the water, I had recently read about a similar basin in France. I thought never mind I will just have to be clever and wash using running water. This wouldn’t have been too bad if the tap hadn’t been so close to the edge of the bowl leading to half of the water cascading over the side onto the slate and ultimately onto the floor!
The shower mat saw a lot of use…
I never understood le bidet. Thank God we did not adopt it in French Quebec.
I just like a nice sink that holds water so I can have a quick wash or wash my hair. I don’t want a major adventure to do these simple things…
Style, Cherie, style. Doesn’t matter if it doesn’t work.
I prefer practical
Presumably it was too high up for a bidet?
It was definitely the wash basin! If you click on the link to a similar basin arrangement I think it shows that it is not a bidet.
So glad you clarified that Cherie! I was a little worried by the bidet remark and thought surely not, but err?
Many years ago my father went into a hotel room and got completely soaked by pushing a button on a bidet, (what’s this then?) having failed to recognise it’s purpose. He was completely horrified when he was told what it was, having never encountered such a thing. We all laughed like drains. As you do.
The tale of you father made me laugh
I have only ever encountered a bidet once and that was a very long time ago. And if you are wondering, no I didn’t try it out 
Interesting design!
But hang on, how come there’s no overflow?
As the plug cannot be shut that is the overflow, an extra one is not necessary.
I think I’ve seen one like that, I can’t remember where, though. But, as you say, utterly impractical. It seems to have been intended as an ornamental fountain, but not very ornamental either.
They will probably end up with wet ceilings bellow eventually!