SMM+S

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:19 pm Post subject: The Ross Fountain

The Ross Fountain
Location: West Princes Street Gardens
OS Ref: NT 249 736

A popular image for postcards of Edinburgh. The magnificent Ross Fountain under the shadow of Castle Rock.

Until today I've never really paid much attention to the fountain but it is a real cracker. Edinburgh is very lucky to have such an ornate piece of sculpture in the City.

Ths is what the Council have to say about it:

Ross Fountain

This fountain is a magnificent example of 19th century cast-iron work from the foundry of Antoine Durenne. A prototype of the fountain was displayed at the Great Exhibition of 1862 in London where it was described as “obtaining universal admiration”. The smaller one is now situated in Pelotas in Brazil.

Mr Daniel Ross, a local gun-maker ‘with inclinations to art and natural science’ bought the fountain and gifted it to the city and it was shipped to Leith in 122 pieces in September 1869.

There was much wrangling about the siting of it, until West Princes Street Gardens were finally agreed upon. At that time these were private subscription gardens - and it was agreed that the fountain should operate “on Sundays and when the band plays...” It was erected and operational in 1872 but Daniel Ross died the year before without seeing it working.
_________________
Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:22 pm Post subject:

_________________
Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:25 pm Post subject:

Jean Baptiste Klagmann was responsible for the figures. The four figures at the top are Science, Art, Poetry and Industry

_________________
Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project

Adam Brown · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 8:30 pm Post subject:

_________________
Scottish War Memorials Project
Scottish War Graves Project