Where did Fountains Begin?
Where did Fountains Begin? 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. Water fountains were connected to a spring or aqueduct to supply potable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. 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 move downwards or jet high into the air. Serving as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also generated clean, fresh drinking water. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often times used by Romans to decorate their fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to re-create the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to illustrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains constructed to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.
Urban fountains built at the end of the 19th century served only as decorative and celebratory adornments since indoor plumbing provided the essential drinking water. The introduction of special water effects and the recycling of water were 2 things made possible by replacing gravity with mechanical pumps.
These days, fountains decorate public areas and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
The Many Good Reasons to Add a Fountain
The Many Good Reasons to Add a Fountain A great way to enhance the look of your outdoor living area is to add a wall water feature or an exterior garden fountain to your landscaping or garden layout. A myriad of current designers and fountain artisans have found inspiration in the fountains and water features of the past. As such, introducing one of these to your interior is a superb way to connect it to the past. The benefit of having a garden fountain extends beyond its beauty as it also appeals to birds and other wildlife, in addition to harmonizing the ecosystem with the water and moisture it releases into the atmosphere. For instance, pesky flying insects are usually discouraged by the birds drawn to the fountain or birdbath.The space necessary for a cascading or spouting fountain is substantial, so a wall fountain is the perfect size for a small yard. Either a freestanding fountain with an even back and an attached basin set against a fence or a wall, or a wall-mounted style which is self-contained and hangs on a wall, are some of the options from which you can choose. Both a fountain mask located on the existing wall as well as a basin located at the bottom to collect the water are equired if you wish to add a fountain. The plumbing and masonry work necessary for this type of job requires expertise, so it is best to employ a skilled person rather than do it yourself.