Fountains

Urn form with a ball finial with domed cover flanked by scrolled handles, square base with brass spigot.

A magnificent medieval Renaissance period architectural holy water font lavabo. Born in a Christian church in Continental Europe during the middle ages, likely Italian 16th or 17th century, exquisitely hand-crafted by a highly skilled artisan, with exceptional craftsmanship, ornate and finely detailed, the rare and one of a kind forged bronze and brass upper presenting with gothic shaped palm frond back, domed lid with tall finial decorated in relief, the fountain reservoir is decorated with central mounted Star of Bethlehem four pointed pentagram star embellishment as well as other applied ormolu adornments, a narrow elongated spigot with valve dispenses the holy water below. A later gilt brass stoop catches the water, the nicely styled, demilune shaped wall mounted antique...

An extraordinary 17/18th century Italian large scale Medieval st. square Rosso Verona marble hand carved fountain. The fountain with its grand scale one piece basin has a mottled bas...

Faux Bois Stone Concrete Fountain and Basin Perimeter (c. 1890). This beautiful, artistically crafted imitation wood grain trompe-l’oeil fountain was a...

With a arched back panel with cherub pouring water from an urn surrounded by cattails over a basin with shaped rim and gadrooned underside supported on a carved dolphin form support ...

Sea monster Carrara marble mouth fountain Italy, late 16th century It measures 13.8 x 31.5 x 18.9 in (35 x 80 x 48 cm) State of conservation: some small evident gaps and widespread signs of wear due to outdoor exposure. The gray marks crossing it do not come from restoration, but are rather the natural veins of the marble. This work has some morphological characteristics typically associated with the iconography of the sea monster: an elongated muzzle, sharp teeth, protruding eyes, elongated ears, and a coiled serpent's tail. An in-depth series of studies on artistic depictions of the sea monster attempted to verify how this symbol evolved in antiquity in the European and Mediterranean contexts and how it gradually changed its image and function over time. The iconography itself is mutable and imaginative and its history is rich with cultural and artistic exchange, as well as the overlapping of ideas. This occurred so much that it is difficult to accurately pinpoint the "types" that satisfactorily represent its various developments. However, we can try to summarize the main figures, starting from the biblical Leviathan and the marine creature that swallowed Jonah (in the Christian version, this figure was to become a whale or a "big fish", the “ketos mega”, translation of the Hebrew “dag gadol”). Other specimens ranged from the dragons mentioned in the Iliad (which were winged and had legs) to "ketos” (also from Greek mythology), the terrifying being from whose Latinized name (“cetus”) derives the word "cetacean". See J. Boardman, “Very Like a Whale” - Classical Sea Monsters, in Monsters and Demons in the Ancient and Medieval Worlds, in Papers presented in Honor of Edith Porada, Mainz am Rhein 1987, pp. 73-84). In Italy the monster underwent yet further variations: it can be found in Etruscan art on the front of some sarcophagi representing the companion of souls, while among the Romans we find the “Pistrice” (cited by Plinio in Naturalis Historia PLIN., Nat., II 9, 8 and by Virgilio in Eneide: VERG., Aen., III, 427), which appeared in the shape of a stylized hippocampus or a very large monstrous cetacean and evolved into a hideous being with a dragon's head and long webbed fins. During the Middle Ages, the sea monster was the object of new transformations: at this time, it is often winged, the head is stretched like a crocodile, the front legs are often very sharp fins - sometimes real paws - until the image merges with dragons, the typical figures of medieval visionary spirituality widely found throughout Europe (on this topic and much more, see: Baltrušaitis, J., Il Medioevo fantastico. Antichità ed esotismi nell’arte gotica, Gli Adelphi 1997). In Italy during the 15th and 16th centuries, the revival of classicism - representative of the humanistic and Renaissance periods - led to a different reading of these "creatures". Indeed, the sea monster was also to find widespread use as an isolated decorative motif, especially in numerous fountains and sculptures where dolphins or sea monsters were used as a characterizing element linked to water (on this theme see: Chet Van Duzer, Sea Monsters on Medieval and Renaissance Maps, London, The British library, 2013). From the morphological point of view, the "sea monsters" of this period are mostly depicted as hybrid figures, in which the body of a mythological or real being (a hippocampus, a sea snake, a dolphin), is joined to a head with a rather indistinct appearance. It was usually characterized by large upright ears, an elongated snout, sharp teeth and globular, protruding eyes; a complex and indefinite figure, both from the symbolic point of view and from that of its genesis. The work we are examining is placed as a cross between the medieval sea serpent and the Renaissance dolphin, with stylistic features which recall the snake as often used in heraldry (such as the "snake" depicted in the coat of arms of the Visconti - the lords and then dukes of Milan between 1277 and 1447 - and which, for some, may be derived from the representations of the “Pistrice” that swallowed Jonah). In the search for sources, Renaissance cartography and in particular woodcuts should not be neglected. See for example the monsters of Olaus Magnus, from the editions of the “Historia de gentibus septentrionalibus” (“History of the peoples of the north”) and the natural histories of Conrad Gesner, Ulisse...

18th century Lavabo Wall Fountain Pewter Basin sink on Hand Carved Wood stand Antique . Imposing 18th century Louis XV of the period Lavabo in Hand Carved walnut with original pewter basins...

A characterful terracotta fountain group of a boy and dolphin by Blanchard (stamped); the perfect feature piece for a garden pool or pond. This 19th century buff terracotta fountain ...

A rare early 18th century Italian wall fountain.

Indian engraved silver table fountain by Oomersi Mawji & Sons Indian, late 19th century Measures: Height 40cm, width 23cm, depth 21cm This exceptional table fountain is by the c...

Beautiful well dating back to the 1600s. Item originates from France.

A most impressive and extremely decorative Italian 18th-century Baroque period marble fountain. The marble fountain is raised by a white Carrara marble and Vert De Patricia marble ba...

A very stunning 17th century - Louis XIV period Fountain Head - in the form of a lion. Beautifully crafted in cast iron - now resting on its stand. A striking accent piece for any bo...

A very impressive large scale English garden fountain. This was reclaimed from a park in Rochdale. This fountain has been hand carved from red coloured sandstone.   Measures: Largest bowl...

A French Louis XV period pewter lavabo on hand-carved walnut stand from the late 18th century, with shell motifs and acanthus leaves. Created in France a...

Crafted in Normandy, France circa 1780, and mounted on a carved fruit wood door, the antique brass lavabo features the original two-piece lavabo; a demilune basin at the base, and a ...

Entirely hand carved in a solid block of precious white Carrara marble, this antique Italian late 17th century-early 18th century fountain or basin is sculpted with elegant floral and foliate patterns typical of Baroque period of Genoese area. This generously sized half moon basin features a wonderful hand sculpted floral carvings on front, drawing the eye around its satisfyingly smooth arc and its charismatic form, while the back is raw, the ancient hand chisels can still be seen. Even the original iron pins which probably supported a back splash are still visible. It takes a high level of skill to carve such a hard marble into a wonderful demi lune shape such as this. Different shades of white due to varied patina from age allows it to go with practically any color scheme. This antique marble sculptural and architectural piece was originally a garden element, it is now perfect for both indoor or outdoor use. Elevate your interior or your garden to a new level of elegance with this one of a kind piece suitable for both public spaces and private homes. Whether placed in the master bathroom or in a powder room as a wash sink...

This elegant, antique fountain was crafted in Lyon, France, circa 1780. In the past, this kind of lavabos was actually used for hand washing. This water fountain is made of pewter with bronze faucets...

Victorian neoclassical style cast iron fountain with a woman standing next to an urn that is tipping slightly as well as two identical putti, each seated atop a spherical plinth. Wat...

Cast iron wall fountain signed by Val D´osne Foundry, France, late 19th century.

Ancient pair of stone stoups, usable in many ways, as stone trays, as fountains, as planters or in a prestigious entrance, hand carved between the 16th and 17th centuries in Italy f...

Nice pump to make a fountain off.

Renaissance Wellhead Hand Carved Marble Container Planter Basin Water Fountain . A rare and impressive Historic Italian 15th century Renaissance hand carved marble well head square shape with scrolls to the corners. Decorated with 3-dimensional vessels and armorial with a rampant lion with raised forelegs as if to strike and ready for battle. To be used as an interior planter stone container, focal point, water feature fountain...

Antique 18th century Italian red Verona and white Carrara marble floor fountain.  

Cast iron fountain sculpture "Boethus Boy with goose" signed Antoine Durenne Fonderie, France, late 19th century. Green marble pedestal dimensions: 95 ...

Large and impressive 19th century Continental iron and parcel gilt fountain or birdbath. Beautiful detail and quality.

Original antique wine cooler from the Louis XIV period in Rouge Royal marble. This amazing piece has great measurements. Perfect for a hand washer...

Circa 1400's A beautiful and rare Gothic 15th century carved stone window surround architectural element. We had this item priced at our cost for a...

Beautiful French 18th century fountain.

Carrara marble fountain with its gray Sainte Anne marble base. French. circa 1700 18th century. It works as a source. It has a small restoration as can be seen in the photo. ...

Polychrome faience wall fountain with hand painted with a dance scene decoration Teniers' style. Netherland.

A French Louis XV period pewter lavabo on walnut stand from the 18th century, with hand-carved shell motifs and volutes. Born in France during the reign ...

An expressive and well-carved Itallian Rococo Revival Carrara marble niche fountain of a putti seated on a dolphin; the playful chubby putti with head tur...

Stunning, solid white, Carrara marble lions head from a fountain in Florence featuring a flowing main and a fabulous patina. Mounted on a custom, iron base. The piece hails from the ...

Village water pump fountain in limestone with a double trough also made from limestone in front of it.

On an antique bluestone ornament.

Italian wall fountain of the 18th century made of stone, with marble incristations making shapes of rhombuses and circles, with a marble mask of reddish verona in the central part, f...

This beautiful gold and black fountain was French made in the 19th century. The spigots are both made in the shapes of a swan's head. Various designs ar...

Authentic and "Rare Vase " Antique Limestone Vase age 1210 , Recovered of The fondamentale of The country 12th Century,

An Italian period Rococo late 18th century lavabo with dolphin motif, pewter sink and reservoir, mounted on a wooden stand. This Italian lavabo features an...

A Louis XV period Lavabo in walnut, with pewter basins and fixtures, dating from the mid-18th century. The piece is remarkable for retaining its original ...

Antiques fountain in white marble, richly carved and inlaid with "royal yellow" marble in the pedestal and in the basin, upper part with mythological sculpture...

Green painted, the fountain was made out of cast iron. It is crowned with a dome and four sea monsters are placed on the ridge. The dome rests on four caryatids draped in antique (see our article caryatid ). They are based on a large octagonal plinth decorated with shells and bas-relief newts wrapping around the Poseidon's trident. At the end of the 19th century, the arrival of Wallace fountains...

Ancient fountain in gray stone, hand-carved with the name of the country it comes from, built entirely by hand in the late 18th century, from France....

A weathered three tier composition stone garden fountain.