Contemporary Garden Decor: Fountains and their Beginnings
Contemporary Garden Decor: Fountains and their Beginnings The incredible architecture of a fountain allows it to provide clean water or shoot water high into air for dramatic effect and it can also serve as an excellent design feature to complement your home.
Pure practicality was the original purpose of fountains. Residents of urban areas, townships and small towns utilized them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash, which meant that fountains needed to be linked to nearby aqueduct or spring. Up to the late nineteenth century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and more elevated than the fountain so that gravity could make the water flow downwards or jet high into the air. Fountains were not only used as a water source for drinking water, but also to adorn homes and celebrate the designer who created it. The main materials used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly depicting animals or heroes. To depict the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages added fountains to their designs. To show his prominence over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. To mark the entryway of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the building of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts entered the city of Rome
Indoor plumbing became the key source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby limiting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Impressive water effects and recycled water were made possible by replacing the force of gravity with mechanical pumps.
Nowadays, fountains decorate public spaces and are used to pay tribute to individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
The Original Outdoor Water Features of History
The Original Outdoor Water Features of History Towns and communities relied on functional water fountains to channel water for cooking, bathing, and cleaning from local sources like lakes, streams, or creeks. To make water flow through a fountain until the end of the 1800’s, and generate a jet of water, required gravity and a water source such as a spring or lake, located higher than the fountain. Inspiring and spectacular, big water fountains have been constructed as memorials in nearly all cultures. When you encounter a fountain at present, that is definitely not what the very first water fountains looked like. Uncomplicated stone basins crafted from local material were the very first fountains, used for religious ceremonies and drinking water. 2,000 B.C. is when the oldest identified stone fountain basins were used. The spraying of water appearing from small spouts was pressured by gravity, the lone power source creators had in those days. These historic fountains were built to be functional, commonly situated along reservoirs, creeks and rivers to supply drinking water. Fountains with embellished Gods, mythological monsters, and creatures began to appear in Rome in about 6 B.C., crafted from stone and bronze. The City of Rome had an elaborate system of aqueducts that furnished the water for the numerous fountains that were situated throughout the urban center.Anglo-Saxon Gardens at the Time of the Norman Conquest
Anglo-Saxon Gardens at the Time of the Norman Conquest Anglo-Saxons felt great modifications to their daily lives in the latter half of the eleventh century due to the accession of the Normans. Engineering and horticulture were attributes that the Normans excelled in, trumping that of the Anglo-Saxons at the time of the occupation. However the Normans had to pacify the entire territory before they could concentrate on home life, domestic architecture, and decoration. Most often built upon windy summits, castles were basic structures that enabled their inhabitants to devote time and space to offensive and defensive strategies, while monasteries were rambling stone buildings generally placed in only the most fecund, broad valleys. The barren fortresses did not provide for the calm avocation of farming. The best example of the early Anglo-Norman style of architecture existent presently is Berkeley Castle. The keep is rumored to have been invented during the time of William the Conqueror. As a strategy of deterring assailants from tunneling underneath the walls, an immense terrace encircles the building. One of these terraces, a charming bowling green, is covered grass and flanked by an ancient yew hedge trimmed into the shape of crude battlements.
What Are Large Garden Fountains Crafted From?
What Are Large Garden Fountains Crafted From?
Most modern garden fountains come in metal, although many other types exist. Metallic models offer clean lines and unique sculptural accents and will fit in with nearly any decorative style and budget. Your outdoor design should complement the style of your residence. One of the most popular metals for sculptural garden fountains these days is copper. Copper is used in cascade and tabletop water fountains as well as many other styles, making it versatile enough for inside and outside fountains. If you choose to go with copper, your fountain can be any style from fun and whimsical to contemporary.
If your style is more old-fashioned, a brass water fountain might be perfect for you. You will see a lot of brass fountains, as their interesting artwork makes them trendy even if they are on the more traditional side.
The most modern metal right now is definitely stainless steel. A cutting-edge steel design will quickly raise the value of your garden as well as the feeling of peacefulness. Like all water fountains, you can get them in just about any size you want.
For people who want the look of a metal fountain but desire a lighter weight and more affordable option, fiberglass is the answer. It is easy to clean and maintain a fiberglass water fountain, yet another reason they are common.