Contemporary Garden Decoration: Outdoor Fountains and their Beginnings

Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose. Water fountains were linked to a spring or aqueduct to provide potable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains operated using the force of 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. Artists thought of fountains as amazing additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to provide clean water and celebrate the artist responsible for building it. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often times used by Romans to beautify their fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to re-create the gardens of paradise. To show his prominence over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. To mark the entrance of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the construction 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. The creation of unique water effects and the recycling of water were two things made possible by replacing gravity with mechanical pumps.

Embellishing city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the uses of modern-day fountains.

Interior Wall Water Features are Great for House or Office

You can relish in the peace and quiet after a long day at work and enjoy watching your favorite show while sitting under your wall fountain. Indoor fountains produce harmonious sounds which are thought to emit negative ions, remove dust as well as allergens, all while producing a calming and relaxing setting.