Survey Data
Reg No
40808008
Rating
Regional
Categories of Special Interest
Artistic, Technical
Original Use
Water pump
Date
1900 - 1920
Coordinates
212943, 436501
Date Recorded
29/09/2010
Date Updated
--/--/--
Description
Freestanding cast-iron water hydrant, erected c. 1910, comprising fluted shaft surmounted by fluted domed capping with acorn finial over, lever to east face, and having lion's head motif to spout. Now out of use. Foundry mark no longer visible. Located on modern flower bed adjacent to boundary wall along the main approach road into Carrickart from the south and west.
Appraisal
An attractive piece of mass produced cast-iron, which is an appealing and subtle feature in the streetscape to the south-west of the centre of Carrickart. This water hydrant is of particular importance as a reminder of the mechanisms installed for the supply of clean drinking water in the period before mains water supply systems, and is of social interest as it formed an informal gathering point for the local community in times past. The various fluted details, and the moulded lion's head motif in particular, enhances the artistic design quality of the piece, and indicates the equal importance of aesthetics as well as functionality. This lion's head motif may be a reference to the British Empire. The foundry mark is no longer visible (to base) but this hydrant was probably made at the Glenfield and Kennedy Ltd. Foundry in Scotland, which was the major company selling cast-iron water mechanisms within the British Empire during the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century, and who were responsible for many such hydrants. This simple item of street furniture makes a positive contribution to the streetscape, and is an integral element of the built heritage of the local area. It may have been moved from another site to the north-west of its current location (Ordnance Survey twenty-five map of 1902-4).