Stewart Memorial Fountain

Category: Public Sculpture

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3. Stewart Memorial Fountain,
Kelvingrove Park

This ornate fountain was made in 1872, designed by James Sellars (1843-1888) and carved by J.G. Mossman (1817-1890). The fountain remembers Lord Provost Robert Stewart, who helped to bring fresh water to the city. The bronze figure on top is inspired by Sir Walter Scott's poem "The Lady Of The Lake", and celebrates the completion of the public water supply project, which pumped water over 20 miles from Loch Katrine to Glasgow. The fountain is currently awaiting restoration and does not have water running through it, but can still be appreciated as a fine piece of Victorian sculpture. This is an important memorial, because Glasgow, like so many Victorian cities, was a fearful place before it had a sanitary supply of water.
The small mosaics show the 12 signs of the zodiac.