Brass Coffee Fountain. 18th Century.

Truncated conical body, formed of 6 half horn pipes, juxtaposed, forged and closed by a crenellated copper solder. At the base, 3 taps come out with keys depicting dolphins with their tails erect. The grip is ensured by two side handles simulating stylized seahorses. The lid repeats and extends the piping of the body, to create a gadrooned dome whose grip represents a turbaned female head. 3 ephebes treated in the round, simply dressed in a perizonium, in a position of genuflexion, support the fountain on their frail shoulders. Their wrists bound behind their backs, and their aspect of submission, authorizes us to qualify them as slaves, or at least captives... This type of base, which we encounter for the first time, contrasts by its originality and its rarity with the usual representations: lion's paws, claws of birds of prey, crowbars, more or less ornate balls... The attitude of these 3 ephebes is the antithesis of the proud virility of the Atlanteans or the hieratic majesty of the caryatids. Origin: NORTHERN GERMANY? Height: 35.5cm. Clear, silky bronze-like patina. Period: 18th century. Very good condition. See additional information on: http://antiquites-lauginie.fr Free shipping by COLISSIMO for metropolitan France.