Monday, September 12, 2011

Doulton Fountain, Glasgow





At a height of 46 ft and with a 70 ft basin at the bottom, this is the largest terracotta fountain in the world! Lord Provost Liz Cameron described it in 2005 as “an enduring symbol of Glasgow, Glasgow Green and the redevelopment of the East End”.
Found on Glasgow Green just north of the People’s Palace, this was gifted to Glasgow by Sir Henry Doulton to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. It was actually made by students from the Lambeth School of Art for the International Exhibition of 1888. It was originally sited in Kelvingrove Park but moved to Glasgow Green in 1890.
There are five tiers above the basin. There are several groups of statues representing the diversity of the British Empire, and the armed forces. A statue of Queen Victoria stands right at the top – actually a different one to the original which was struck by lightning in 1891.
Over the years the fountain has been renovated, including a £4m refurbishment in 2002.