The Great Exhibition, 1851: Cast-iron fountain by André

Photograph of a cast-iron three tier fountain. At the top of the fountain is a female figure holding a vase over her head. In the middle tier is a pair of birds. On the lower tier are male sea creatures blowing seashells. Water flows from the top of the fountain, from the vase, and comes out of jets positioned inside the seashells held by the sea creatures.

The fountain was shown at the 1851 Great Exhibition. During the exhibition, the fountain was displayed in working order in the east nave. The fountain was by M. André and attracted significant admiration.

This photograph is from Volume III (RCIN 2800002) of ' Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, 1851: Reports by the Juries on the Subjects in the Thirty Classes into which the Exhibition was Divided'. The incredibly successful Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations, commonly known as the Great Exhibition, ran from May to October 1851. At the exhibition's conclusion, over 100 copies of the four volume 'Reports by the Juries' were distributed to foreign governments and notable participants. The reports consist of the juries' comments and assessments of the works displayed in the exhibition. The idea and decision to illustrate the reports with photographs is attributed to Prince Albert (1819-61).