Fontaine d'Amboise, Renaissance fountain in Place de la Poterne, Clermont-Ferrand, France
The Fontaine d'Amboise is a three-tiered fountain carved from dark Volvic stone, decorated with sculpted masks, figures, and water spouts across its basins. Water circulates through an octagonal middle section where eight decorative panels frame four carved mask openings with candelabra at each corner.
Bishop Jacques d'Amboise commissioned construction of this fountain between 1511 and 1515, making it an early example of Renaissance design. The structure was relocated twice over the centuries, first in 1808 and again in 1962 to its current location.
The fountain displays a blend of gothic and renaissance decoration through its carved masks and figures, reflecting local artistic traditions of the 16th century. These ornamental choices show how the city valued both traditional and new artistic styles at that time.
The fountain underwent complete restoration in 2019, with its historical features and water system carefully preserved. It sits in an accessible plaza, making it easy to visit while exploring the surrounding medieval streets and squares of the old town.
The fountain displays symbols of the Amboise family, including a figure of an untamed man holding the family crest. This detail shows how Renaissance fountains often served as personal monuments reflecting the patron's lineage and status in the city.
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