Bronze Fountain Figure – Woman with Jug, Neoclassicism (5657)

Bronze Fountain — figure of a woman with a jug (femme à la cruche), Neoclassicism, approx. 20th century.

This impressive, almost life-size bronze figure (bronze fountain) depicts a young woman in antique drapery holding a jug — a water carrier or a nymph of the spring — standing on a base with a dolphin and acanthus leaves. The jug and base have water openings, so the figure serves as both a sculpture and a fountain. The work belongs to the Neoclassical tradition, drawing from the garden sculpture of the ancient and Belle Époque eras — the female figure with an urn or jug was one of the most popular motifs in European parks, palaces, and bourgeois gardens in the 19th-20th centuries.

Dimensions: Height 172 cm × Width 53 cm

A snapshot from the Belle Époque: Auguste Rodin paused at a bend in the garden path in Meudon. The late afternoon light fell on something greenish between the trees — the fall of drapery, a bent neck, something round in the palm, from which water seemed about to flow. He knew it was metal, and yet for a moment he waited for movement. The silence between him and the form was complete. Then the wind stirred the leaves, and the moment was gone.

Manufacturer and hallmark

The manufactory or artist’s hallmark has not been identified. Based on the material, scale, and execution, the figure corresponds to the Neoclassical tradition of decorative bronze. The figure is made of bronze, with a naturally formed green verdigris patina. It is equipped as a fountain — with water openings in the jug and base.

Rarity and significance

Almost human-sized bronze figure-fountains are rare and very effective decorative items. They combine a monumental presence, the beauty of antique imagery, and the practical function of a fountain, suitable for both the garden and a representative interior.

Application in interior, design, and photography

An impressive central accent in a garden, park, winter garden, hotel lobby, or spacious interior — as a sculpture or a working fountain. A very photogenic, monumental object.

Gift

An excellent, representative gift for a lover or collector of gardens, art, and antiques.

Condition

Beautiful green verdigris patina, consistent with the age of the bronze and outdoor/garden use. Natural patina variations and signs of atmospheric exposure are visible on the surface. The condition of the item is fully reflected in the photographs.