Fountain

The fountain, dating to 1858, is believed to have been made by Hardy and Padmore, iron founders of Worcester. It stands on a stone plinth and incorporates a sunken pool lined with rendered brickwork, a stone coping, and a base of off-white glazed bricks. The fountain itself is cast iron and features a two-stage hexagonal base. The upper section of the base has moulded lion masks recessed within shallow elliptical shapes on each face. Above this sits a foliated urn supporting a large, shallow bowl decorated with a water-lily motif on its underside. The periphery of the bowl has small lion masks, a bead-and-reel decoration, and egg-and-dart moulding; the masks conceal water jets. A smaller bowl is positioned above the first, carried on the tails of two intertwined fish. Two putti figures stand on a raised platform within the upper bowl, flanking a central vertical water jet. Plaques on the base read, “This fountain was presented to the City of Worcester by Richard Padmore Esq. 1858,” and “Re-erected in this park 1924.” The circular pool includes a further plaque commemorating the opening of Cripplegate Park on 19th June 1922 by the Mayor, Samuel Southall, and the Chairman of the General Progress Committee, Ald. J S Crook.

The iron foundry of Robert Hardy and Co. was established in 1814 and became Hardy and Padmore around 1829, continuing until 1968. They produced a range of items, from engines and stoves to ornamental pieces. Other notable examples of their work in Worcester include the balustrade lanterns on Worcester Bridge, the Foregate Street railway bridge parapet, the gates from the Arboretum (now at the Infirmary), and the former Market Hall clock. Less elaborate items include lamp pillars, brackets, park benches, bollards, junction boxes, and manhole covers. It is thought that the fountain was originally located in the Market Hall in the High Street. Similar fountains exist at Queensberry House, Richmond-upon-Thames, and at the Château Impney near Droitwich. Handyside and Co. of Derby illustrated a similar fountain design in their catalogue, which raises questions regarding the manufacturers of the fountains at Droitwich and Richmond.