Page 17 - The Tale of Two Fountains

THE TALE OF TWO FOUNTAINS
CHAPTER 2
THE ISAAC FOUNTAIN, NORTHAMPTON
The pump and gas lamp were replaced by a spectacular cast iron structure in the centre of
the Market Square in 1863. It was a handsome piece of work, consisting of drinking and jet
th
fountains with an ornate pillar in 16 century Italian style carrying a Corinthian capital and
lamp, cast in bronze and iron. It was made locally in Northampton by Messrs Barwell & Co. at their foundry in Bridge Street, known as the Eagle Foundry. It was presented to the Mayor and Corpora- tion of Northampton by Samuel Isaac, Captain Commandant of the Fifth Northamptonshire Rifle Volunteers on the 9th November 1863 to commemorate the marriage of Prince Albert (the Prince of Wales) to Princess Alexandra of Denmark. The fountain was designed by the Foundry’s artist, modeller and draftsman, William Atkinson. It was one of the greatest achievements in cast iron en- gineering incorporating elaborate bronze work. The fountain was much loved by the local people. It was known as the Isaac Fountain and remained in the Market Square until it was pulled down on 15th April 1962 due to its supposedly unsafe condition, against the wishes of many local people.
The fountain was 45 feet high and 19 feet wide with a number of embellishments cast in bronze and stood as a focal point on the Square for almost a hundred years. This magnificent cast iron structure was installed on an octagonal plinth with grey granite and had four steps rising to the top of the plinth which formed a St Andrew’s cross. It included a decorative sculptured jamb located on each corner. Four tazzas or shallow basins with water fountains graced the structure. Water was poured into the basin which then fell into the masks and finally into the drinking water basins placed on the north and south sides of the fountain.
On the east and west sides, plaques with an ornamental border of curlicues, bearing inscriptions were fixed.
“Presented to the Mayor and Corporation, in trust for the inhabitants of Northampton by Samuel Isaac, Captain-Commandant of the 5th Corps of Northamptonshire Rifle Volunteers, 1863.”
The Borough’s Coat of Arms, the Crest of Captain Samuel Isaac (a lion passant with the motto on a scroll ‘Hostice Honoris Invidis’ interlaced with ornaments) and other emblems were included at the base of the column. The acrotar or the flat base above the drinking fountains supported the tazzas and a highly sculptured and decorated column with a gilt globe lantern, approximately 4-5 feet in diameter, surmounted by a Maltese Cross. All the iron work was bronzed to give a striking effect and the whole structure was indeed a work of art. In 1930, the fountain was renovated and the globe lamp, which had already been replaced in 1900, was replaced once again with suspended lamps held by ornamental brackets with a railing below. Then post war (believed to be in 1953) this was also replaced with a large copper globe. This still exists in the Abington Park Museum.
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