Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Originate from?

Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, via aqueducts or springs in the area. Up until the nineteenth, fountains had to be more elevated and closer to a water supply, such as aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to benefit from gravity which fed the fountains. Fountains were not only utilized as a water source for drinking water, but also to decorate homes and celebrate the artist who created it. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often utilized by Romans to beautify their fountains. To illustrate the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages added fountains to their designs. The fountains seen in the Gardens of Versailles were intended to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains built to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.

Since indoor plumbing became the norm of the day for clean, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely decorative. Impressive water effects and recycled water were made possible by switching the force of gravity with mechanical pumps.

Nowadays, fountains adorn public areas and are used to recognize individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.

What Are Fountains Made From?

Today, a lot of people elect copper for their sculptural garden fountains. Copper is popular for both inside and outside use and is commonly found in tabletop and cascade fountains, among others. Copper is also versatile enough that you can select a range of styles for your fountain, from contemporary to whimsical.

Also popular, brass fountains typically have a more old-fashioned style to them versus their copper counterpart. Though not the most modern, the creatures and sculptural features you find on fountains are commonly made of brass, thus making them very popular.

The most modern metal right now is definitely stainless steel. If you pick a cutting-edge steel design, both the value and tranquility of your garden will get a nice bump. Like other water features, they come in a variety of sizes.

Fiberglass is a popular material for fountains because you can get the look and feel of metal at a much lower price, and it is lighter weight and easier to move than metal. It is not complicated to clean and maintain a fiberglass water fountain, yet another reason they are popular.