Erection date: 1959
{On a plaque standing on the base of the fountain:}
In 1872 Sir Richard Wallace (1818 - 90) presented to the City of Paris fifty examples of this model of drinking fountain ('Wallace'), designed by Charles-August Lebourg (1829 - 1906).
This later cast was given to the Wallace Collection by the London Borough of Shoreditch in 1959.
{Twice on the frieze above the sculpted scallop shells:}
Val d'Osne
{Low, on the base of the fountain, in large font:}
1904
The plaque explains why this fountain look so familiar to anyone who has walked around Paris. In 1872 Wallace donated 50 drinking fountains, known as Wallace fountains, to Paris and to Lisburn (his Irish constituency). He was closely involved in the project: the concept, the design, the locations. Lots more information at Wikipedia.
And the Shoreditch connection?
c. 1904 four ornate fountains were installed in Shoreditch. This was done through the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association but Dudley Fortescue was so closely involved that he must have funded them. Artistically designed water fountains were required and Dudley Fortescue found four designs that he liked, including this Wallace design, which he had seen and liked in Paris. The fountain was made and installed at The Oval, Windsor Terrace, EC1, on 19 July 1904. A newspaper report named an anonymous donor, 'E. F. F.'. Philanthropic men would sometimes give the name of a close female relative, rather than their own but, still, we cannot find an E. F. F. for Dudley Francis Fortescue, his wife being Lady Camilla Eleanor Fortescue, and the marriage having no issue. Perhaps the 'E.' was a misprint for 'D.'?
In 1959, when the fountain had ceased to function, the Wallace Collection asked Shoreditch Council if they could have it for Hertford House and it was installed in its current location in 1960.
The fountain worked when first installed in Windsor Terrace, and possibly (accounts differ) when first installed at Hertford House, but it’s not working now.
Sources: a very useful video by the Wallace Collection, a page about its move to Hertford House.
Site: Wallace drinking fountain (1 memorial)
W1, Manchester Square, Hertford House, The Wallace Collection
Built in 1776 this was the townhouse of the Seymour family, Marquesses of Hertford. Originally known as Manchester House, it was let 1836-51 as the French Embassy, but was renamed Hertford House and from 1852 was used principally to house items from the art collection of the 4th Marquess of Hertford. The collection was named after his illegitimate son Sir Richard Wallace, to whom he left it together with as much property as was not entailed. Wallace's widow bequeathed the collection of paintings and objects to the nation and that forms the nucleus of the Wallace Collection.
The wrought-iron pedestrian gate piers are all topped with a gold crown, above the golden monogram VR, for Victoria Regina.
