Pump Fountain in Cast Iron, 1930s

Details

Description

Title: Antique Cast Iron Column-Mounted Manual Water Pump

Visual and Stylistic :
This is a fascinating example of a manual … Read more Title: Antique Cast Iron Column-Mounted Manual Water Pump

Visual and Stylistic :
This is a fascinating example of a manual garden water pump, crafted from solid cast iron, showing authentic signs of age and use.

Design and Structure: The pump is vertically column-shaped and composed of multiple overlapping cylindrical sections, typical of industrial manufacturing between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Dispensing Port (The Distinctive Detail): The most distinctive element is the tap or outlet, which is modeled in a zoomorphic form. It appears to depict the head of a mythological animal, a dragon, or a stylized gargoyle, from whose mouth the water flows.

Decoration: The shaft (or body) of the pump is not smooth but richly decorated with relief motifs. Note the geometric friezes, motifs reminiscent of acanthus leaves or stylized floral decorations, and vertical grooves along the bottom that elongate the figure.

The Lever: The long side handle, used for manual pumping, has a sinuous and elegant shape, terminating in a ring or teardrop-shaped handle, also decorated with embossed plant motifs along the arm.

Base: The column terminates in a flanged circular base, equipped with holes for anchoring to the ground or a well.

Condition: The object features a uniform oxidized patina that attests to its antiquity, lending it a rustic charm ideal for outdoor furnishings, historic gardens, or conservative restoration projects. See less