Fontaine de la Grave, Stone fountain near Quai des Salinières, Bordeaux, France.
Fontaine de la Grave is an octagonal fountain featuring a central column resting on a square base with water flowing into surrounding basins. Four mascarons function as water spouts, forming the main decorative elements of this stonework.
The fountain was constructed in 1788 by Richard-François Bonfin and later repositioned northward to face Place de la Grave and Rue Pichadey. This relocation was part of a broader effort to reshape the public spaces of this area.
The stone garland at the column base displays interlaced crescents that represent Bordeaux's coat of arms. These symbols are part of the visual identity that the fountain brings to the public space.
The fountain stands on Quai des Salinières along the Garonne, in line with Rue des Faures in the Saint-Michel district. It is set in an open paved area, with the column on a stepped square plinth ringed by four short stone posts. The quay is a pedestrian route between the Saint-Michel area and the Pont de Pierre.
A cross-section documented in April 1788 revealed a hollow cavity inside the column designed to house the fountain's operating mechanism. This technical solution shows how craftsmanship was integrated into the functional aspects of the monument.
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