Spray fountain in Promenade Gardens

Ornamental fountain, approximately 1898, by Walter MacFarlane and Company of Saracen Foundry, Glasgow.

MATERIALS: cast-iron.

DESCRIPTION: a three-tiered spray fountain. The octofoil lower basin is set into concrete. The outer rim of the basin has passion-flower rosettes. Four lily pads within the basin (in 2019, one broken) have jets. A central cylindrical shaft is decorated with an ivy-leaf upper frieze and four reliefs of two alternate scenes: one a squirrel on an oak branch holding an acorn and accompanied by a bird and a dragonfly; the other a putto wearing a flower as a hat and sailing a boat crafted from a leaf. Around this shaft are four columns with octagonal bases and foliated shafts and capitals. The bases bear, in relief, the maker’s name ‘W MACFARLANE & CO/ GLASGOW’. Above is a large circular bowl with a leafy outer rim (with minor damage) and bulrush-and-lotus-leaf detail on the underside. Above this, a slender central shaft is surrounded by four pelicans with outstretched wings, the spouts of the fountain in flowers at their feet. Atop this shaft is a smaller leafy bowl. Seated on a mushroom in the centre is a putto holding aloft with his right hand a small conical bowl on a stem, with a jet within.