Garden Fountain

Unknown

early 17th century · Brass; cast in sections, joined and engraved · Islamic Art

Some of the forms on this fountain, such as its hourglass shape and the lion mask (kirttimukha) on its spout, can be traced to Hindu sources, but their combination with a strong architectural profile and articulated ribs places its production at one of the Muslim courts of the Deccan. The fountain was formed from seven separately cast parts soldered together in a fashion reminiscent of contemporary cannon construction. Water would have been forced up through the pipe that projects from the base of the fountain, and would have trickled down the outside from the circular well at the top.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 17th century

Medium

Brass; cast in sections, joined and engraved

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, 1997