Fountain of Helicon
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Object number10176
TitleFountain of Helicon
Creator Peter Cairns (maker)
DescriptionThis extraordinary sculpture is one of the more unusual objects in our collection. The Fountain of Helicon is made from balsa wood and its warm, rich tones have only mellowed with age.
It was created by Peter Cairns, who worked for the Duke of Buccleuch at Dalkeith Palace on the outskirts of Edinburgh. An extremely accomplished woodcarver, Cairns worked on it in his evenings and days off for seven years. It was finished by 1878 and exhibited at the Paris Exhibition that year, and later at the Edinburgh International Exhibition in 1886.
Cairns took inspiration from Greek mythology. Mount Helicon in Greece is legendary as a haunt of the Muses, a sacred place with mystical fountains. One of these was the fountain of Hippocrene, which is said to have sprung from the place where the winged horse Pegasus struck the rock with his hoof. A drink from the fountain was said to inspire poetry!
Every piece of the sculpture is covered in detail. Look closely – could that be Poseidon brandishing his trident, plunging through the waves on the back of his hippocampi? There is a Greek hero riding the winged horse Pegasus, giant serpents curling around trees, dragons and other mythical beasts. It is truly a feast for the eyes.
Production placeDuke of Buccleuch Estate
Production date 1878
Object nameCarved Fountain
TechniqueCarved