Fragment of a water spout in the shape of a lion-head, from Corinth

Classification

water spout

Culture

Greek (culture)

Dimensions

height: 14 cm; length: 25 cm

Date

second quarter of the 4th century B.C.

Period

Classical Period (480–323)

Material

marble analysis ; Pentelic marble

Iconography

lion

Findspot

Corinth

Present location

Budapest, Museum of Fine Arts, Collection of Classical Antiquities

Provenance

Arndt, Paul (1865–1937)

Inventory

4753

Hyp-3958

References

Szilágyi, J. Gy., Antik Gyűjtemény, 57; Szilágyi, J. Gy., Ancient Art, 64

Rainwater drained off the roofs of buildings through figural waterspouts placed at regular intervals. These usually had the shape of a lion’s head, with water flowing from the animal’s mouth. Such “taps” were also placed on the public fountains that provided households with water. This piece was unearthed at one of Corinth’s central fountains, the Glauke Fountain.

Marble analyses conducted by Danielle Decrouez (Geneva, Museum of Natural History) and Karl Ramseyer (University of Bern, Institute of Geological Sciences) have shown that the water spout was made of Pentelic marble. Click here for the detailed results.

Trails

Sculptural decoration on buildings in the Classical period

This record is subject to revision due to ongoing research.