Lancaster Quay Drinking Fountain

Location: Cork City, Ireland

The city’s first reliable water supply was established in 1858 and by 1860 there were 100 fountains and fonts around the city. In an effort to persuade people to reject alcohol, Father Theobold Mathew, a Temperance advocate and founder of the Total Abstinence Society, was instrumental in the installation of drinking fountains to provide a reliable supply of water. Seven of these drinking fonts and four cattle troughs still exist although none are operational.

A drinking fountain which once refreshed people on the south-side of Washington Street was removed to its current location on Lancaster Quay. Estimated to date from 1850, it was recorded on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage on 13 July 1995.

Source: https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/20503234/lancaster-quay-cork-city-cork-city-cork-city

Set into the wall, the neglected cast iron fountain has deteriorated leaving little evidence of its original design. At the top is a recessed arch, which likely contained a decorative mascaron or spout. An ogee cornice sits above a panel with bas relief of a dolphin mascaron flanked by water lilies. The manufacturer is unknown.

https://www.buildingsofireland.ie/buildings-search/building/20503234/lancaster-quay-cork-city-cork-city-cork-city

Glossary:

• Bas-relief, sculpted material that has been raised from the background to create a slight projection from the surface
• Cornice, a molding or ornamentation that projects from the top of a building
• Mascaron, a decorative element in the form of a sculpted face or head of a human being or an animal
• Ogee, curve with a concave

Tickell Memorial Fountain

Location: Eadestown, County Kildare, Ireland

The Tickell Monument was erected in 1899 as a communal water supply in honour of Captain Tickell by his County Kildare tenants. Captain Edward James Tickell was a career military man who served with the West India Regiment as Lieutenant in 1885. He was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of services during the operations in the Uganda Protectorate. He also served in the South African War with the Rhodesian Field Force and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1909. After his retirement on 9 February 1914 he became a Justice of the Peace for County Kildare.

Source: http://stonecircle.bravehost.com/tours/1992/wicklowandkildare.html

The 16 feet high cast iron drinking fountain which is a central focal point in the village was designed by an expert in Gothic detail, John Joseph O’Callaghan, Esq., Architect, F.R.I.A.I. It was cast by Tonge & Taggart, South City Foundry, Dublin. It was introduced as ‘the first fountain of its size and description that has ever been made in Dublin, and it proves that there is no necessity for going to Scotland or elsewhere for stock patterns, when architects can have their original designs carried out as well at home.’

The octagonal plinth and base are made of limestone from the Ballyknocken quarry. A metal plaque contains the legend, Erected in memory of / Captain Tickell / by his Co. Kildare Tenantry 1899. A large trough for cattle supplied overflow water to four basins at ground level for dogs. Seated within the trough is a chamfered base hosting four lion mascarons with stop cocks. Originally four highly ornamental consoles offered cups suspended on chains for the capture of flowing water. Four pilasters support four triangular arches with rosette cartouche. The stamped gabled ‘roof’ terminates in a finial with fleur-de-lis motif.

Images Source:http://irishantiquities.bravehost.com/kildare/tickell/tickell.html

On 6 June 2002, the fountain was registered in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage as being of historical and social interest.06/06/2002.

Glossary:

• Cartouche, a structure or figure, often in the shape of an oval shield or oblong scroll, used as an architectural or graphic ornament or to bear a design or inscription.
• Chamfer, a beveled edge
• Console, a decorative bracket support element
• Finial, a sculptured ornament fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable or similar structure
• Mask/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
• Plinth, flat base usually projecting, upon which a pedestal, wall or column rests.
• Rosette, a round stylized flower design

Wall Inset Models – Saracen #17

Location: Eire and England

The font, casting number 17 (4’5” x 2’10”) from Walter Macfarlane’s catalogue, was manufactured by the Saracen Foundry in Glasgow, Scotland. The design utilizes features of the canopy used in drinking fountain number 8, and is surmounted by a palmette finial. Griffin terminals flank a highly decorated arch outlined with rope detail which also encircles a medallion hosting the image of a crane. The recessed interior of the arch contains a shell lunette from which a tap protruded. A single drinking cup on a chain was originally suspended above a fluted demi-lune basin.

Sometimes, no matter how much I research, there is little information available online. Such is the case with the following drinking fountains.

The fountain at Athlone Railway Station in Ireland has been neglected as evidenced by rust and the missing medallion.

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18578675@N02/8091980598/

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/18578675@N02/8091980598/

A pair of drinking fountains set into the wall at Viking Bay in Broadstairs, Kent, England, also show rust. The crane medallion is still in place.

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/38525169@N00/9785938964

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stehperkins/4703902634/

Symbolism was popular in Victorian times. Griffins are symbolic of guardians of priceless possessions, and cranes, recognized as a symbol of vigilance, are often depicted standing on one leg while holding a stone in the claws of the other foot. Legend states that if the watchful crane fell asleep the stone would fall and waken the bird.

Creative commons license, Paul Harrop. Source: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5535723

The following examples are the same model; however, the medallion has been customized.

A drinking fountain embedded into a wall at the entrance to the Old School Tea Room car park in Falstone, Northumberland, England, was installed to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. The standard crane medallion was replaced with the left facing profile of Queen Victoria.

Source: http://www.ipernity.com/doc/buildings/39360814

The medallion in a polished and lacquered version of design #17 hosts a lion passant guardant meaning it is walking while looking towards you (on guard). I have been unable to find a similar heraldic image to explain this customization. The item was sold in 2009 by an auction house following salvage from a Wimbledon home in England.

Source: Scottish Ironwork Foundation

Glossary

• Demi-lune, half moon or crescent shape
• Finial, a sculptured ornament fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable or similar structure
• Griffin, winged lion denotes vigilance and strength, guards treasure and priceless possessions
• Lunette, the half-moon shaped space framed by an arch, often containing a window or painting
• Palmette, a decorative motif resembling the fan shaped leaves of a palm tree
• Terminal, statue or ornament that stands on a pedestal