Val d’Osne Water God Fountain Head ‘Mascaron’ Mask c.1850

A rare and dramatic Wall Fountain head or ‘Mascaron’ in cast iron made by the renowned French Foundry Val d'Osne. c.1850

The mysterious Water God grotesque is depicted wearing a crown and head of bull rushes, with gaping mouth and fanned fish gills on the sides of his cheeks. Based on a mythological water god, probably Poseidon or Neptune.

He could be a dramatic centre piece or wall fountain in any size garden or terrace and would work equally well as a carefully placed objet d’art within your interior.

The Val d’Osne art foundry was founded in 1835 by Jean Pierre Andre Victor, the workshops were located in Val d'Osne (Haute Marne, France) and its headquarters and gallerie at the 58th Boulevard Voltaire in Paris. Inventor the of cast iron ornamental technique, they originally manufactured street furniture and decorative cast iron. The reputation of the company was so great that they fast became the largest art cast iron maker in France buying out rival firms such as Barbezat and Ducel becoming the largest and most prolific foundry of decorative and sculptural cast iron in France during the 19th century.