Public Monument and Sculpture Association National Recording Project
Drinking Fountain Photograph
Region ID | AH | |
Work ID | 136 | |
Manual Reference | CARDIFF018 | |
Title | Drinking Fountain | |
Sculptor | W. & T. Wills | |
Foundry | Coalbrookdale Company Ltd | |
Date of design | 1862 | |
Year of unveiling | 1862 | |
Unveiling details | 1862 | |
Road | Between Boulevard de Nantes and Greyfriars Road, carrying road over dock feeder. | |
Precise Location | Fountain is on E parapet of bridge | |
A to Z Ref | 30 3A | |
OS Ref | ST182767 | |
Postcode | ||
Work is | Extant | |
Listing Status | II | |
Duty of Care | Cardiff County Council | |
Commissioned by | William Alexander, Mayor of Cardiff | |
Notes | ||
Cadw listing is for Bridge over Dock feeder including Cast-Iron Drinking Fountain. Report describes a 'Baroque style bridge in Portland stone ashlar with rusticated piers . On E parapet, gabled Portland stone frame in pier of bridge encloses drinking fountain in niche; outer face of niche framed by cast-iron moulded frame with curvilinear edges. Figure of Jesus Christ to left hand and figure of Woman of Samaria to right hand, illustrating verses 13 and 14 of St John's Gospel, Chapter IV - Decoration of vine leaves and tendrils and cherubs.' Frame is painted black with figures and decorations picked out in gold. | ||
The fountain was donated by William Alexander, Mayor of Cardiff 1859-60. | ||
The bridge was part of the development of Cathays Park in plans submitted by the Borough Engineer, William Harpur, to the Town Council in 1903. | ||
circa | ||
raw year | 1862 | |
Condition | Good | |
At risk | Not at risk | |
Inscriptions | Raised gold-painted letters above niche containing fountain: JESUS SAID UNTO HER, WHOSOEVER DRINKETH OF THIS WATER / SHALL THIRST AGAIN: / BUT WHOSOEVER DRINKETH OF THE WATER / THAT I SHALL GIVE HIM, / SHALL NEVER THIRST. / JOHN, IV, 12 . 14. Raised gold-painted letters on lower part of frame: ERECTED / BY / WM. ALEXANDER / MAYOR OF CARDIFF / A.D. 1860 | |
Signatures | Raised gold-painted letters on edge of niche containing fountain: WILLS BROTHERS SCULP LONDON Raised gold-painted letters on lower outer edge of moulded frame: CAST BY THE COALBROOKDALE CO | |
Elements
Element Details
Part of work | Material | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
Whole work | Cast-iron | 163cm high x 137cm wide |
Assessment of Condition
Surface Character
Detail | Comment |
|---|---|
Other | Although paint surface looks bright and fairly recent, it does have a slightly weathered look |
Structural Condition
Structural Condition | Comment |
|---|---|
Broken, missing parts | Fountain not working |
Vandalism
Vandalism | Comment |
|---|---|
Graffiti | Remains of small white sticker on top right of frame |
