Jaipur, India — circa 1890
This extraordinary table fountain was created in Rajasthan in the late nineteenth century and was originally used at the City Palace Jaipur during formal banquets.
Designed as both a functional cooler and a spectacular table centerpiece, the piece combines crystal, mirrored glass, and silver elements in an elaborate architectural composition. Six vertical columns of deep blue crystal support the central structure, above which rises a glass dome that functions as a water reservoir.
During court banquets the fountain would be placed at the center of the table and filled mechanically with water, allowing a gentle circulation through the structure. The lower basin was traditionally decorated with fresh flowers and seasonal fruits, creating a visually opulent centerpiece that reflected the refined ceremonial culture of the royal courts of Rajasthan.
The mirrored elements amplify the brilliance of the crystal components, while the architectural structure of the piece creates a striking sculptural presence. Today the object can function as a dramatic decorative centerpiece or sculptural object.
The fountain remains in good antique condition with minor wear consistent with age and historic use.
Because of its scale and theatrical presence, this piece works beautifully as a centerpiece on a large dining table, console, or display table within interiors that incorporate historic or global design elements.
Height: 80 cm
Diameter: 50 cm
This piece is part of the KalaRara Roma Vintage Collection, a curated selection of rare twentieth-century design and historic objects chosen for their architectural presence and enduring design value.
Other notable designers represented in the collection include Gio Ponti, Paolo Buffa, Osvaldo Borsani, and Vittorio Introini, whose works continue to shape the history of twentieth-century Italian design.
Jaipur, India — circa 1890
This extraordinary table fountain was created in Rajasthan in the late nineteenth century and was originally used at the City Palace Jaipur during formal banquets.
Designed as both a functional cooler and a spectacular table centerpiece, the piece combines crystal, mirrored glass, and silver elements in an elaborate architectural composition. Six vertical columns of deep blue crystal support the central structure, above which rises a glass dome that functions as a water reservoir.
During court banquets the fountain would be placed at the center of the table and filled mechanically with water, allowing a gentle circulation through the structure. The lower basin was traditionally decorated with fresh flowers and seasonal fruits, creating a visually opulent centerpiece that reflected the refined ceremonial culture of the royal courts of Rajasthan.
The mirrored elements amplify the brilliance of the crystal components, while the architectural structure of the piece creates a striking sculptural presence. Today the object can function as a dramatic decorative centerpiece or sculptural object.
The fountain remains in good antique condition with minor wear consistent with age and historic use.
Because of its scale and theatrical presence, this piece works beautifully as a centerpiece on a large dining table, console, or display table within interiors that incorporate historic or global design elements.
Height: 80 cm
Diameter: 50 cm
This piece is part of the KalaRara Roma Vintage Collection, a curated selection of rare twentieth-century design and historic objects chosen for their architectural presence and enduring design value.
Other notable designers represented in the collection include Gio Ponti, Paolo Buffa, Osvaldo Borsani, and Vittorio Introini, whose works continue to shape the history of twentieth-century Italian design.
