Water  fountain
A cut-glass and silver-plated chilled water fountain
The glass receptacle of barrel form with six turn-key taps issuing from below and surmounted by a silver-plated dome cover with acorn finial, all raised on a silver-plated flaring stem with beaded bands and terminating on a dome circular foot, height 146cm.
Sold for £1,875 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • The present lot is thought to be modelled on 19th century absinthe fountains.

    In 19th century Parisian cafés, upon receiving an order for an absinthe, a waiter would present the patron with a dose of absinthe in a suitable glass, along with sugar, an absinthe spoon, and a 'fountain' of iced water. It was up to the patron to prepare the drink, as the inclusion or omission of sugar was strictly an individual preference, as was the amount of water used. The fountains were usually small enough to sit on a table with between two and four taps.

Auction Notices

  • Please note that this lot will be removed to Bonhams Park Royal Warehouse and will be avaliable for collection as from 9.30am on Tuesday 5 February 2013.

Category: Decorative Arts / Silver


Auction terms and conditions

Contacts

Lucy Gregory Bonhams
Work
Montpelier Street
London, SW7 1HH
United Kingdom
Work +44 20 7393 3858
FaxFax: +44 20 7393 3875
Specialist - Silver