Manual Ref* NFklKL014 Show 3 images 430
Title*

Fountain
County Norfolk   District Council King's Lynn 
Civil Parish or equivalent King's Lynn  Town/Village* King's Lynn 
Road St James' Road 
Precise Location North-west corner of St James' Park close to London Road 
OS Grid Ref TF622200  Postcode PE30 
Previous location(s)  
Setting Part of the parkland area known as the Walks  Access Public 
Artist/Maker Role Qualifier
Unknown  Blacksmith(s)   

Commissioned by

 Mayor F.J. Carpenter on behalf of the Borough Council 

Design & Constrn period

 1902-3 

Date of installing

 1903 

Exact date of unveiling

  

Category
Abstract Animal Architectural
Commercial Commemorative Composite
Free Functional Funerary
Heraldic Military Natural
Non-Commemorative Performance Portable
Religious Roadside, Wayside Sculptural
Temporary, Mobile Other  

Object Type
Building Clock Tower Architectural
Coat of Arms Cross Fountain
Landscape Marker Medallion
Mural Panel Readymade
Relief Shaft Sculpture
Statue Street Furniture War Memorial
Other Object Sub Type:

Subject Type
Allegorical Mythological Pictorial
Figurative Non-figurative Portrait
Still-life Symbolic Other

Subject Sub Type
Bust Equestrian Full-length
Group Head Reclining
Seated Standing Torso
Part Material Dimension
Fountainhead  Fayance ware  H 100 cm x W 59 cm x D 30 cm 
Upper basin  Fayance ware  H 33 cm x Dia 145 cm 
Middle basin  Fayance ware  H 52 cm x Dia 280 cm (approx) 
Central shaft  Fayance ware  H 139 cm x Dia 50 cm (approx) 
Lower pool  Render and asphalt  H 45-55 cm x Dia 550 cm (approx) 

Work is
Extant Not Sited Lost

Owner/Custodian

 Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk 

Listing status
Grade I Grade II* Grade II Don't Know Not Listed

Surface Condition
Corrosion, Deterioration Accretions
Bird Guano Abrasions, cracks, splits
Biological growth Spalling, crumbling
Metallic staining Previous treatments
Other  
Detail: Restored 2007-08, now functioning but not every day

Structural Condition
Armature exposed Broken or missing parts
Replaced parts Loose elements
Cracks, splits, breaks, holes Spalling, crumbling
Water collection Other
Detail: When first surveyed the fountain was no longer functioning and the large outer pool had urns and plinths missing from the rim. There was damage to the rendered circular wall with fractures from ground level to the rounded top. Four small bases damaged. All this has now been made good.

Vandalism
Graffiti Structural damage Surface Damage
Detail:

Overall condition
Good Fair Poor

Risk
No Known Risk At Risk Immediate
Signatures/Marks  
Inscriptions Plaque and inscription on the main shaft are still missing. 

Description (physical)

 Cream-glazed stoneware ornamental fountain with three concentric pools of decreasing circumference. The relief decoration shows garlands festooning the two inner pools and stylized orange trees decorating the central shaft. The fountainhead has two water nymphs as cherubs holding a vase. They have lizard-like marine creatures under their arms and are shown riding on fish or dolphins. The outer pool is of painted render lined with asphalt 

Description (iconographical)

 The Walks had been set as early as 1713, to make use of land near the line of the town’s walls. The area underwent a number of changes, in part prompted by the use of part of the site for the railway station. St James’ Park was created in 1902, together with decorative iron railings and this ornamental fountain. The fountain with its imagery of natural abundance reflects on the park as a place of relaxation, escapism and entertainment. 

Photographs

 Date taken:  28/7/2006
Date logged:  31/7/2006

Photographed by:
David Hulks and Sarah Cocke

On Site Inspection

 Date:  28/7/2006

Inspected by:
David Hulks

Sources and References

 BOE II, 489; www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=22720 accessed 4-Jun-07 / HOK International Ltd (2004) The Walks, King's Lynn: Proposal Report on the Fountain / J.V.A. Froggatt (2000) Survey Report / Information from Mark Fuller (Corporate Project Manager, Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk) 25-May-07 and 18/11/08 

Database

 Date entered:  4/6/2007

Data inputter:
David Hulks