Survey Data
Reg No
12315018
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Artistic, Technical
Original Use
Water pump
Date
1865 - 1885
Coordinates
249409, 143514
Date Recorded
05/07/2004
Date Updated
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Description
Freestanding cast-iron waterpump, c.1875, comprising banded cylindrical shaft with moulded necking, fluted cylindrical head having fluted detailing to spout, 'cow tail' curvilinear handle with finial, and capping now missing. Now disused. Road fronted on concrete plinth.
Appraisal
An appealing, if subtle feature in the streetscape representing an important early-surviving artefact in mass-produced cast-iron ware. Various raised elements enhance the artistic quality of the piece while the curvilinear 'cow tail' handle in particular is an elegant feature of the design. However, conceived primarily as a functional object the waterpump remains of particular importance as a reminder of the mechanisms installed for the provision of clean drinking water in the period before the development of mains systems.