Code 907-10
Painted Cast Iron Wall Fountain From France
This is a painted wall fountain made of cast iron. It is still in good condition, besides some rusting, and a hairline crack that does not affect structural strength. It is a bas relief depicting a mythological figure of a man holding a dolphin on his knee. The water source comes out of the dolphins mouth and cascades into a serpentine shaped trough at the fountains base. This piece could be placed outside or inside.
Fonte d'arte begins with a model carved from either wood or stone. The detail of wooden carving cannot be matched by stone. After a hardened layer of sand or clay is is applied to the carving making a mold. Hot smelted iron is then poured into the mold. When it cools and hardens, the sculpture is removed and cleaned/sanded.
Northen France was the center point for creating cast iron art in the 19th and 20th centuries. The area contained the best iron ore in France, plenty of lumber for the furnaces, and lots of sand for making the molds. In fact iron has been made in this area for more than 2000 years, responsible for many of Europes early swords, shields, and other iron implements.
H=60, D=22 1/2, Width of Base=35 1/8
$5,900
Le Louvre Antiques
1400 Slocum Street
Dallas, TX 75207
214-742-2605 FAX: 214-742-2639
www.lelouvre-antiques.com