King Edward VII Fountain

Location: Dordrecht, Eastern Cape, South Africa

The memorial drinking fountain located in the grounds of the Anderson Museum was originally erected in Hofmeyr Square where it was presumably supplied with water from the Hogsett Reservoir. At some point in time the fountain was moved to the site of the Great War Memorial, in the gardens of the Dordrecht Municipal Offices. The structure deteriorated due to lack of maintenance until its care was transferred to Anderson Museum to be restored and repainted.

Used with permission, William Martinson. Source: https://www.artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/bldgframes.php?bldgid=14705

Used with permission, William Martinson. Source: https://www.artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/bldgframes.php?bldgid=14705

Design #80 manufactured by Walter Macfarlane & Co. in the Saracen´s foundry, Glasgow was well suited for Street Crossings, Squares, Market Places, etc., as it afforded drinking accommodation for a large number of horses and drivers, and effectively lit a wide space, with the least possible obstruction to other traffic.

Standing 12ft 9ins high it consists of a circular cast iron basin with a broad rounded perimeter rim upon which the manufacturer’s name is recorded in raised letters. Supported on four legs cast in the form of horse hooves, the fetlock transitions at the interface with the trough into an acanthus scroll motif. The water was regulated by a small patent cistern, which was self-acting, and when the troughs were full the ball rose and shut the water off.

Used with permission, William Martinson. Source: https://www.artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/bldgframes.php?bldgid=14705

Used with permission, William Martinson. Source: https://www.artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/bldgframes.php?bldgid=14705

The central stanchion with attic base supported a central fluted column. Four projecting consoles suspended cups on chains that allowed humans to drink from spouting water (the water flow was operated with two bib valves which released water when pressed). Originally a bulbous form engraved with acanthus bas-relief demarcated the transition of the column into a lamp pillar (design #30) supporting a central gas lamp (#208) roofed in with scales of opal glass which allowed the lantern to cast the light downward. The terminal was a crown. Yoke maintenance arms were positioned beneath the lantern.

Used with permission, William Martinson. Source: https://www.artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/bldgframes.php?bldgid=14705

Used with permission, William Martinson. Source: https://www.artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/bldgframes.php?bldgid=14705

Used with permission, William Martinson. Source: https://www.artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/bldgframes.php?bldgid=14705

The column capital is presently surmounted with a light fitting of circular domed sheet metal cap supported on four curved round bar supports. The light fitting was kept separately within the museum; however, the glass lamp shade appears not to have survived.

A dedication is recorded in raised letters on a small curved rectangular cast metal plaque mounted on the lamp pillar. The dedication is transcribed; This Fountain Was Erected / By The Inhabitants / Of Dordrecht / To Commemorate The / Coronation Of His / Most Gracious Majesty, / King Edward The Seventh / 1902.

Used with permission, William Martinson. Source: https://www.artefacts.co.za/main/Buildings/bldgframes.php?bldgid=14705

Glossary

• Acanthus, one of the most common plant forms (deeply cut leaves) to make foliage ornament and decoration
• Attic base, a column base with two rings
• Bas-relief, sculpted material that has been raised from the background to create a slight projection from the surface
• Bib valve, a valve controlling the release of a liquid
• Capital, the top of a column that supports the load bearing down on it
• Console, a decorative bracket support element
• Fluted Shaft, a long rounded groove decorating the shaft of a column
• Stanchion, an upright bar or post providing support
• Terminal, statue or ornament that stands on a pedestal
• Yoke maintenance arms, the bars near the top of the street light which supported the lamplighter’s ladder

 

Market Street Drinking Fountain

Location: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA

The drinking fountain for humans and horses was located outside the old Dauphin County Courthouse at the intersection of Court Street and Market Street. The large trough facing the street offered relief to thirsty horses which pulled horse drawn trolleys.

Circa 1905

Source: http://www.shorpy.com/node/9151?size=_original#caption

The first known public transportation in Harrisburg began in 1865 with a horse drawn trolley that was said to be purchased used from Philadelphia. In 1873 the Horse-Drawn Passenger Railway Company opened, but the advent of the motor vehicle rendered these vehicles redundant by the turn of the century.

The Harrisburg Telegraph reported in 1902 that “The court house fountain is again without a drinking cup. There were a number of parched throats at the fountain to-day, but nothing to drink from.”

Source: http://courthousehistory.com/gallery/states/pennsylvania/counties/dauphin

Photographs of the area circa 1932 reveal that the drinking fountain was no longer in situ; and the court house itself was demolished in 1948.

The 9 feet high cast iron drinking fountain consisting of a square pedestal surmounted by a statue was manufactured by J. W. Fiske Iron Works and registered as design #209.

A highly decorated square base at ground level with egg and tongue moulding contained a small trough for dogs on three sides surmounted by a sculptured dog kennel. Four short pilasters flanked panels decorated with rosettes.

A dog toothed acroter supported four rectangular panels with bas-relief and rosette frieze. These inset panels displaying two swans with raised wings resting on an orb from which rose Neptune’s trident were flanked by stylized flowers and bulrushes. The back side of the structure contained a small demi-lune basin for humans decorated with large leaf pattern on the underside. A wide and deep trough decorated with acanthus was available for the use of horses. A dolphin mascaron released water from its mouth into the horse trough.

A multi-tiered acroter supporting a 36″ tall statue of a woman feeding a dove is identified as Girl Feeding Bird #226. A bird perches on her right wrist as she gathers a tunic at her left hip with her left hand creating a pouch containing seeds. Her head is tilted slightly back and she holds a seed in her mouth. The sculpture is attributed to bronze founder, George Fischer.

Similar fountain design in Ligonier, PA

Glossary:

• Acanthus, one of the most common plant forms (deeply cut leaves) to make foliage ornament and decoration
• Acroter, flat base
• Bas-relief, sculpted material that has been raised from the background to create a slight projection from the surface
• Chamfer, a beveled edge
• Cornice, a molding or ornamentation that projects from the top of a building
• Demi-lune, half moon or crescent shape
• Dog tooth, pyramid shaped carving
• Egg and dart, a carving of alternating oval shapes and dart or arrow shapes
• Frieze, the horizontal part of a classical moulding just below the cornice, often decorated with carvings
• Mascaron, a decorative element in the form of a sculpted face or head of a human being or an animal
• Pilaster, a column form that is only ornamental and not supporting a structure
• Rosette, a round stylized flower design