Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd has dated this Bronze Crocodile Fountain Spout to the 1920s.
Subject & Medium
Cast in bronze and measuring an impressive 59 cm in length, it was conceived not merely as a decorative figure but as a working fountain: internal metal pipework carries water from the back and discharges it through the open jaws, so the crocodile appears to spit a stream into the pond below.
The subject matter is unusual and highly distinctive. While early 20th-century garden ornaments and fountains typically draw on classical masks, putti, nymphs or familiar heraldic and mythological creatures, a full-length crocodile in this role is genuinely uncommon. Crocodiles do feature in the wider history of art and architectural ornament, but they are far from standard in domestic garden sculpture. Here, the choice of subject adds a note of exoticism, wit and drama that sets the piece apart from more conventional fountain heads.
Composition & Technique
The crocodile belongs firmly to the animalier tradition. The modelling is naturalistic without being clinical, with carefully rendered scales along the back and tail, webbed feet planted firmly beneath the body and a powerful tail that curves to one side. The jaws are wide open, revealing the interior of the mouth where the water exits, and the eyes and jawline are shaped to give the creature a sense of alertness and latent movement.
Seen in profile, the composition suggests an animal that has just hauled itself from the water and is about to move forward again. The sweeping curve of the tail introduces a dynamic line that prevents the piece from feeling static, while the braced legs and splayed claws give it tension and weight. The engineering is integrated discreetly into the sculpture: the fountain function is fully practical, yet does not compromise the overall form.
Decades of outdoor life have produced a complex, attractive patina. Warm bronze tones remain on the raised areas, while greenish verdigris has settled into the recesses and around the details. The surface bears honest evidence of age and use – gentle rubbing to the snout, feet and tail tip, small knocks from garden life – giving it depth and nuance that modern reproductions rarely achieve. Technically and stylistically, the combination of naturalistic modelling with robust plumbing is characteristic of inter-war European decorative bronzes, and a date of around 1920 is entirely consistent.
Dimensions
Length: 59 cm
Width: 25 cm
Height: 18.5 cm
Weight: 3.5 kg (unpacked)
These proportions give the crocodile real presence as a focal point, while remaining practical to handle and site in a variety of garden, terrace or interior settings.
Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd has dated this Bronze Crocodile Fountain Spout to the 1920s.
Source the historic in 17th, 18th, 19th & 20th century fine arts, painting, sculptures & collectibles
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd Profile Page
Bronze Crocodile Fountain Head Garden Spout Sculpture
