Contemporary Garden Decor: Fountains and their Roots

The primary purpose of a fountain was originally strictly practical. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, from aqueducts or springs nearby. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains functioned using gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a source of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Designers thought of fountains as wonderful additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to supply clean water and honor the artist responsible for building it. The main materials used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. Muslims and Moorish garden designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller versions of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to illustrate his dominion over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. The Romans of the 17th and 18th centuries manufactured baroque decorative fountains to glorify the Popes who commissioned them as well as to mark the spot where the restored Roman aqueducts entered the city.

Urban fountains created at the end of the 19th century functioned only as decorative and celebratory ornaments since indoor plumbing provided the necessary drinking water. The creation of unique water effects and the recycling of water were 2 things made possible by swapping gravity with mechanical pumps.

Modern-day fountains function mostly as decoration for open spaces, to honor individuals or events, and compliment entertainment and recreational activities.

The Wide Array of Designs of Wall Fountains

There are two specific styles of fountains you can buy: mounted and free-standing. Small, self-contained models can be placed on a wall are called mounted wall fountains. Ordinarily made of resin (to resemble stone) or fiber glass, these sorts of fountains are lightweight and easy to hang. Large-sized free-standing wall fountains, commonly referred to as floor fountains, have their basins positioned on the floor and a smooth side leaning on a wall. Water features such as these are typically made of cast stone and have no weight limits.

Landscape professionals often recommend a custom-built fountain for a brand new or existing wall. The basin and all the required plumbing are best installed by a qualified mason. It is also vital to include a spout or fountain mask to build it into the wall. Customized wall fountains lend to a unified appearance because they become part of the landscape rather than look like a later addition.