An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Table Fountainc. 1320–40
Conceptually and stylistically, this object is beyond all else a piece of Gothic architecture in miniature with vaults, pinnacles, columns, and traceried arches. Though the artist who created it is unknown, he was unquestionably inspired by the great Gothic buildings of his time. <br>The table fountain is a three-tiered assembly combining cast elements with bent sheets of gilt-silver. To these have been attached a series of enamel plaques representing grotesque figures, some of which play musical instruments. Water wheels and bells were added to capture motion and sound. <br>The rich detail, precious materials, and involved ornamentation of this deluxe object suggest it would have been expensive to produce and highly treasured by its original owner, someone of high status, and would have been deployed as an object of spectacle. This is the most complete example of its type known to survive from the Middle Ages. Medieval inventories reveal that small fountains like this, often taking various forms, and generally made from precious metals, once existed in large numbers, thus making the Cleveland table fountain an extremely rare object.
This fountain with its minute architectural details and finely made enamel plaques displayed the wealth and refinement of the owner as it entertained his guests. Imagine hearing the ringing of the tiny bells when this fountain was in use.
gilt-silver and translucent enamels
Overall: 33.8 x 25.4 x 26 cm (13 5/16 x 10 x 10 1/4 in.)
Gift of J. H. Wade
In a dimly lit chamber, where the air vibrated with the whispers of history, there stood a table fountain that beckoned the eye and tugged at the heart. Imagine, if you will, a miniature ode to Gothic architecture—its intricate pinnacles and elegant columns reaching towards the heavens, vaults twinkling like stars in the night sky, and traceried arches forming dreams of grandeur. This creation, shrouded in the mystery of its unknown maker, pulsated with the spirit of the great Gothic buildings that loomed large in the artist's imagination.
Crafted from gleaming gilt-silver, the fountain stood as a testament to artistry, a three-tiered marvel combining cast elements and delicate sheets that danced in the light. Adorning its surfaces were vibrant enamel plaques, each one depicting grotesque figures animated by life’s whims, some joyfully toting musical instruments as though serenading all who dared to listen. The fountain was more than just a beautiful piece; it sang—inviting water wheels to spin and bells to chime, capturing motion and sound, immersing the viewer in an experience of sensory delight.
The opulence of this artifact was unmistakable. Its rich detail and precious materials whispered stories of flair and luxury, culminating in an object of great expense and esteem. Surely, it graced the halls of someone illustrious—an owner whose status demanded spectacle, who reveled in the enchanting marvel of such a piece.
As the most complete example of its type still shimmering in existence from the Middle Ages, the fountain found itself among the rarest of treasures. Medieval inventories painted a picture of a time when such founts, crafted from precious metals, adorned homes in numbers long lost to the passage of time. Yet, here it remained, a solitary survivor—a whisper from the past inviting the present to pause and ponder the intricate threads that weave together our shared humanity.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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