A Brief History of Early Water Features
A Brief History of Early Water Features The water from springs and other sources was initially provided to the residents of nearby towns and municipalities via water fountains, whose design was mainly practical, not aesthetic.
In the years before electricity, the spray of fountains was powered by gravity exclusively, commonly using an aqueduct or water supply located far away in the nearby hills. Fountains throughout history have been designed as memorials, impressing local citizens and travelers alike. The contemporary fountains of today bear little likeness to the very first water fountains. Basic stone basins crafted from nearby rock were the very first fountains, used for religious purposes and drinking water. Rock basins are believed to have been first used around 2000 BC. The first civilizations that used fountains depended on gravity to push water through spigots. These ancient water fountains were built to be functional, often situated along reservoirs, creeks and rivers to furnish drinking water. Animals, Gods, and Spiritual figures dominated the very early ornate Roman fountains, starting to show up in about 6 B.C.. Water for the community fountains of Rome was delivered to the city via a intricate system of water aqueducts.
Outdoor Wall Fountains: The Many Designs Available
Outdoor Wall Fountains: The Many Designs Available
If you want to create a place to relax and add some flair to a small area such as a patio or courtyard, wall fountains are perfect because they do not occupy much space. The myriad of styles in outdoor wall fountains, including traditional, classic, contemporary, or Asian, means that you can find the one suitable to your tastes. If you are looking for a unique design, a customized one can be specially made to meet your specifications. There are two distinct styles of fountains you can buy: mounted and free-standing. Small, self-contained versions can be hung on a wall are known as mounted wall fountains. Wall fountains made of resin (resembling stone) or fiberglass are typically lightweight so they can be easily hung. Large-sized free-standing wall fountains, commonly referred to as floor fountains, have their basins located on the floor and a smooth side leaning on a wall. Typically made of cast stone, these water features have no weight constraints.
Custom-made fountains which can be integrated into a new or existing wall are often recommended by landscaping designers. The basin and all the necessary plumbing are best installed by a trained mason. A fountain mask or a spout also needs to be incorporated into the wall. The cohesive look produced by customized wall fountains make them appear to be part of the landscape instead of an afterthought.
Outdoor Fountain Builders Through History
Outdoor Fountain Builders Through History Frequently working as architects, sculptors, artists, engineers and discerning scholars, all in one, fountain creators were multi-talented people from the 16th to the later part of the 18th century. Exemplifying the Renaissance skilled artist as a imaginative genius, Leonardo da Vinci toiled as an innovator and scientific guru. With his immense curiosity regarding the forces of nature, he investigated the characteristics and movement of water and methodically documented his examinations in his now famed notebooks. Early Italian water fountain builders transformed private villa configurations into innovative water exhibits full of symbolic meaning and natural beauty by coupling creativity with hydraulic and horticultural experience.
The humanist Pirro Ligorio, renowned for his virtuosity in archeology, architecture and garden design, offered the vision behind the splendors in Tivoli. Other water feature engineers, masterminding the extraordinary water marbles, water attributes and water humor for the various properties in the vicinity of Florence, were tried and tested in humanist subjects and traditional scientific texts.