Basin of a wall fountain

myminifactory

Human beings designed this basin to catch water from a wall fountain, placing it into a façade or niche. Its back and parts of the sides were intentionally left unfinished. The coat of arms displayed in the shield has been identified as that of the Codognola, a noble family from Verona. The basin is carved from Istrian stone, with the front and sides of the upper half featuring intricate arabesques. These ornaments issue from the mouths of two grotesque heads on the front corners and terminate at the sides in lion heads holding a ring. The front showcases a shield bearing a lion rampant, debruised by a bend charged with three cinquefoils. The gadrooned lower half of the basin curves inward, supported at the front by two legs shaped like lion paws. The back and rear parts of the sides are left untreated, revealing their rough texture. A report on the object made at the time of acquisition notes its condition: "The basin is carved from grey marble - the outside has a warm color, but the inside was re-chiselled by someone who thought it could be used as a bath and turned cool grey." The document continues to explain that it is meant to be placed against a wall, with one side left unfinished. Pope-Hennessy observed that parts of the sides are also rough, suggesting that the basin was set into a wall. Pope-Hennessy tentatively identified the arms on the front as those of the Codognola from Verona or the Lion of Venice. He dated the basin to the second half of the sixteenth century. This work can be found in The Paul and Jill Ruddock Gallery, case WN, shelf EXPCourtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London