Object Details

The Dolphin Fountain

Browse information by:
Location
Makers
General Information
Classification
Object Parts
Object Condition
History
References
Photographs


Author: Anthony McIntosh
Copyright for Photograph:

Creative Commons

Location

Street:Brighton Square
Town:Brighton
Parish:Brighton
Council:Brighton & Hove City Council
County:East Sussex
Postcode:None
Location on Google Map
Object setting:Road or Wayside
Access is:Public
Location note:In a courtyard, surrounded by shops, in The Lanes, off Meeting House Lane
In the AZ book:East Sussex
Page:162
Grid reference:E8
The A-Z books used are A-Z East Sussex and A-Z West Sussex (Editions 1A 2005). Geographers' A-Z Map Company Ltd. Sevenoaks.
OS Reference:TQ3104

back to top

Makers

Company/Group :Dixon Hurst Partners
Company/Group :The APP Partnership, Brighton: Leo Panipucci
     Role:Architect
Name : James Osborne
     Role:Sculptor

back to top

General Information

Commissioned by: South Bank Estates (Brighton Square) Ltd.
Construction period:1991 - 1992
Unveiling date:02/03/1992
Work is:Extant
Owner custodian:South Bank Estates (Brighton Square) Ltd.
Object listing:Not listed
Description:A sculptural fountain depicting two dolphins, leaping almost vertically, one above the other, with a child sat astride each animal. This sits on a tiled circular plinth that in turn sits in a large tiled, fountain basin. The whole structure is sited in the centre of a circular brick paved area where tables and chairs are placed from the surrounding restaurants.
Inscription:Small bronze plaque on side of plinth just underneath the sculpture:

The Dolphin Fountain
dedicated to
The Royal Alexandra Hospital
for Sick Children
unveiled by
H.R.H. Princess Alexandra G.C.V.O.
2nd March 1992

Sculptor
James Osborne
1940 - 1992

Small bronze plaque on opposite side of plinth:

THE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN
will be donated to
The Royal Alexandra Hospital
for Sick Children

back to top

Classification

Categories:Sculptural, Free Standing, Composite, Animal
Object type1:Sculpture
Object type2:Fountain
     Object subtype1:Ornamental Fountain
Subject type1:Figurative
     Subject subtype1:Group

back to top

Object Parts

Part 1:Pedestal
     Material:Tiled brick housing for pump
     Height (cm):1100
     Width (cm):142
     Depth (cm):142
Part 2:Circular paved area
     Material:Brick
     Width (cm):500
     Depth (cm):500
Part 3:Sculpture
     Material:Bronze, patinated blue/green
Part 4:Pool
     Material:Tile covered concrete
     Height (cm):50
     Width (cm):326
     Depth (cm):326

back to top

Object Condition

Overall condition:Good
Risk assessment:No known risk
Date of on-site inspection:03/07/2007

back to top

History

History:The fountain basin was designed to receive thrown coins, providing donations to Children in Need. This was later changed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital. The original estimated cost was £5000. The artist used his own children as models for the children on the sculpture. A Brighton and Hove bus bears the artist's name.

back to top

References

Source 1 :
     Title:Dolphin Fountain Brighton Square
     Type:Archive
     Location:Brighton History Centre
     Catalogue reference:BHS SPB 123 13


Further information:
#http://www.buses.co.uk/history/fleethist/653jo.htm#

back to top

Photographs





Author: Anthony McIntosh
Copyright: Creative Commons




Author: Anthony McIntosh
Copyright: Creative Commons




Author: Anthony McIntosh
Copyright: Creative Commons




Author: Anthony McIntosh
Copyright: Creative Commons

back to top