{"product_id":"19th-century-bronze-fountain-figure-of-a-putto-with-mythological-dolphin-201-2","title":"19th-Century Bronze Fountain Figure of a Putto \u0026 Mythological Dolphin - 20½\"","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eA charming 19th-century dark patinated cast metal fountain element depicting a putto playfully interacting with a stylised mythological dolphin, from whose open mouth water once flowed. Though created in the 19th century, the composition is clearly inspired by earlier Renaissance and Baroque fountain models, particularly the ornamental garden sculpture traditions of Italy and southern France, where playful marine creatures and cherubic figures frequently animated fountains and basins.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe young child is shown seated in a lively twisting pose atop a stepped pedestal decorated with a frieze of stylised leaves. The dolphin, with its expressive eyes and exaggerated features, belongs more to the world of mythology and decorative fantasy than to naturalistic representation, giving the group a whimsical and poetic character.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe dark patinated metal surface has developed scattered areas of natural verdigris oxidation and weathering over time, subtly highlighting the modelling and reinforcing its garden statuary appeal. The sculpture shows expected age-related wear and outdoor weathering. One toe is missing from the putto’s foot, a minor loss that remains visually discreet within the overall composition. The child figure has been resecured to its base more recently, reinforcing the solidity of the piece. Remnants of older plumbing elements remain inside and beneath the sculpture and would need replacing if the fountain were to be returned to working order.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-WEB:58dbdb5b-d60d-420f-a47e-23577c87ed0b-0\" data-is-intersecting=\"true\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"relative w-full overflow-visible\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [\u0026amp;:has([data-writing-block])\u0026gt;*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]\" dir=\"auto\" data-turn-id=\"request-WEB:58dbdb5b-d60d-420f-a47e-23577c87ed0b-0\" data-turn-id-container=\"request-WEB:58dbdb5b-d60d-420f-a47e-23577c87ed0b-0\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-2\" data-scroll-anchor=\"false\" data-turn=\"assistant\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg\/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"e3ff4fa0-480e-46cb-afbf-dea59b8d742d\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-5-5\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" data-turn-start-message=\"true\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"308\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eThis piece remains richly decorative and sculptural, whether restored as a functioning fountain or displayed simply as a striking focal point. Equally suited to a garden, courtyard, orangery, or interior setting, it offers a romantic patina and playful subject matter that invite admiration from every angle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mt-3 w-full empty:hidden\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition and patina consistent with age.\u003cbr\u003eApprox. overall 20½\" high x 10¾\" wide x 13\" deep \u003cbr\u003eApprox. overall 52cm high x 27cm wide x 33cm deep\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chez Pluie","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53446386516306,"sku":"24533","price":3675.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1166\/6698\/files\/DSC02963_f7ee63f1-ce5f-402b-99eb-00e9fb02fef9.jpg?v=1778830155","url":"https:\/\/www.chezpluie.com\/products\/19th-century-bronze-fountain-figure-of-a-putto-with-mythological-dolphin-201-2","provider":"Chez Pluie","version":"1.0","type":"link"}