Thursday, April 3, 2008

Statler Statue Fountain


This statue is located at Statler Park, Stuart Street at Park Square and was designed by Ulysses Anthony Ricci (1888-1960). The sculpture was a gift of the Hotel Statler Company, Inc. and was presented to the city in 1930 as part of a beautification project for the Park. Originally, water flowed from the cup the figure holds, into the raised bowl, and then into the basin. The fountain is no longer operable. A bronze dedication plaque originally on base is now missing.

The sculpture is a bronze, art deco fountain in the shape of a Roman tripod brazier. A woman in classical robes stands in the middle of the upper bowl holding a cup from which water originally flowed. The large bowl is decorated with signs of the zodiac in relief; the lip edge is decorated with egg and dart molding. The legs are decorated with semi-draped male figures above grotesque decorations and terminate in lions' paws. The basin at foot of the fountain is now a planter.

8 comments:

Marie-Noyale said...

A nice Art deco fountain.
It's too bad the water doesn't flow anymore!

yoshi said...

This fountain is very original!

Greyhound Girl said...

Too bad about the water... and I like the stories/ history with the picture... nice!

JaamZIN said...

like the second (small) version more...the closer version shows better its shape!:) very nice

Southern Heart said...

That is so beautiful. You don't lack for lovely places to photograph!

George Townboy said...

It always amazes me when I see your photos, and those of Fenix, that I could have been born and brought up and investigated that City for umpteen years and not have seen half of what you post!!

Awesome photo and great info. Too bad the fountain no longer works!

Carraol said...

This is an extraordinary piece of Art Deco, I guess the authority stops the flow to avoid future damage of the sculpture. Great post!

oneriver said...

I am wondering if anyone has any historical images of this fountain. In particular I am looking for an image of the fountain with running water. Direction would be greatly appreciated