THE FOUNTAIN: James Duncan’s photograph of the Alexander Smollet Fountain, Alexandria

Alexander Smollet Fountain, Alexandria.

An ornate, high Gothic fountain in mercat cross form. It has three pulpit-like tiers, a blocky quatrefoil-plan base, a pedestal base, squat corner columns, and floriate capitals supporting a richly carved parapet. There are four richly carved grotesque lion face waterspouts (one with an engraved inscription above), a clustered banded shaft supporting a parapet, griffin guttae, carved shields and floral motif panels, including an ‘SA’ monogram, plus a faceted column supporting cap and a finial in the form of a heron gazing upwards. The fountain was erected to commemorate the philanthropy of Alexander Smollett, much loved local landlord and MP.

Picture special by JAMES DUNCAN

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