18th-Century Hand-Carved Marble Fountain

Floral Relief with Marigold & Lotus Motifs | Royal Indian Courtyard Sculpture | Circa 1700s

✦ Sacred Flow in Stone: A Royal Garden Masterpiece

Commanding in form and meditative in detail, this monumental 18th-century marble fountain is a rare expression of Indo-Islamic garden art—once likely found in a noble haveli courtyard or temple sanctuary. Hand-carved from a single block of stone and weighing over 670 kg, it represents not only the physical presence of water, but its spiritual role as a symbol of purity, life, and divine abundance.

✦ Architectural Elegance & Floral Symbolism

The fountain’s form follows a trapezoidal incline, culminating in a lobed semi-circular basin at its base. The sloped face is carved with rhythmic rows of marigold blossoms—each rendered in low relief to echo the cascade of water that once flowed over them. Above, a refined lotus border crowns the top, and the side panels feature scallop-shell motifs, often associated with cosmic waters and divine protection.

These botanical elements are not merely decorative—they are encoded with cultural meaning. The marigold, introduced to India via Portuguese and Spanish maritime trade in the 1600s, became integral to temple rituals and royal ceremonies by the 18th century. In Hindu traditions, it symbolises auspiciousness, protection, and purification—qualities evoked here in stone.

The lotus, long a pan-Indian symbol of rebirth, purity, and enlightenment, links this piece to broader Hindu-Buddhist cosmologies.

✦ Key Features

• Date: Circa 1700s

• Origin: Likely Rajasthan, India (Jaipur, Agra, or Udaipur regions)

• Material: Solid, hand-carved marble with weather-softened finish

• Motifs:

  • Marigold floral relief (auspicious offering)

  • Lotus scroll (divine purity)

  • Scallop and wave forms (flow, protection)

• Design: Angled face with water basin and deep internal reservoir

• Patina: Beautiful age-softened surface with natural weathering

• Condition: Structurally excellent; age-appropriate markings preserved

✦ Dimensions & Weight

• Width: 130 cm

• Height: 130 cm

• Depth: 80 cm

• Weight: Approx. 672 kg

✦ Cultural & Historical Context

Water features were a centrepiece of Mughal, Rajput, and Deccan garden architecture, both for their aesthetic beauty and their spiritual symbolism. In private havelis and temple courtyards, fountains were placed in zenanas (women’s quarters) and prayer gardens to represent the continuous cycle of life and divine energy.

Given its scale and artistry, this fountain was likely a bespoke commission for royalty or a high-ranking patron, carved by guild-trained artisans from the Mughal-influenced marble workshops of North India.

✦ Styling Tip

Install in a heritage courtyard, luxury boutique hotel garden, or as a statement water feature in a contemporary Indo-Islamic landscape. Surround it with sandstone jalis, flowering planters, and low seating to restore the meditative ambience of its original context.

✦ Why This Fountain Matters

This is more than an architectural relic—it is a spiritual sculpture in motion. Through its carved surface once flowed water, ritual, and reflection. In its floral motifs live cross-cultural botanical histories, royal patronage, and the quiet sanctity of garden life. To own this fountain is to preserve centuries of beauty, belief, and botanical reverence.

✦ Delivery & Installation

Due to its scale and weight, this piece will be delivered by appointment via white-glove service across the UK. For international enquiries, please contact Regen Bespoke for assistance with shipping logistics, handling, and installation options.

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Where heritage flows—transforming sacred tradition into living design.