While we may be used to seeing contemporary products that synthesize the best of function and aesthetic appeal, it's less common to encounter vintage pieces that do the same. This is what makes The Naver Washbasin by Drummonds such a revelation-it's a piece that toes the ineffable line between pragmatism and vintage elegance.

The Naver Washbasin. Manufactured by Drummonds.

The Naver Washbasin by Drummonds has Quintessentially British Style and Universal Appeal

Kudos to Drummonds for creating such a throwback piece now, smack dab in the second decade of the new millennium, for it's not easy to capture such an antique style. While an appraisal of this quality might seem to begin with Naver's apparently large dimensions, it's actually quite a compact piece.

The perception that Naver is larger than it actually is owed to its large rear overflow lip-a feature that serves the practical function of preventing water from spilling over the edge, while satisfying the aesthetic imperative of textural intricacy. The high back also makes for a perfect repository for soap, and, should the day's tenor suggest it, a small bouquet of miniature violets.

The Naver features an exposed frame of polished chrome, which, in addition to serving as a lovely counterfoil to the basin's stark porcelain, increases negative space, making even small bathrooms seem spacious and wide open.

In the Naver's one nod to modern convenience, Drummonds has chosen to eschew the very British waste plug and chain in favor of a modern integrated plunger. And this is a wise choice, as the large plunger is entirely integrated into the center of the basin. Thus, rather than detracting from the piece's vintage flavor, it balances the elements and enhances the whole, creating the impression that all 19^th. Century washbasins were thus, and further suggesting that all 21^st. century basins should be so as well.

About the Manufacturer: Drummonds designs and manufactures nearly every product that one might conceivably find in the environs of the bath. This includes basins, taps, baths, showers, bidets, WCs, lighting, and accessories. The company uses premium materials and handcrafted manufacturing techniques. With an emphasis on capturing a vintage and antique look, Drummonds strives to replicate the look and feel of the elegant furnishings of the past.