This fountain, which for a time, was converted into a flower bed, surounding the impressive sculpture by Ulysses Anthony Ricci, has now been restored to its original glory as a fully functional fountain.
Not surprisingly, it is included in the Smithsonian Art Inventory, which describes the fountain as follows:
"Bronze, art deco fountain in the shape of a Roman tripod brazier. Woman in classical robes stands in the middle of the upper bowl holding a cup from which water originally flowed. Large bowl is decorated with signs of the zodiac in relief. Lip edge is decorated with egg and dart molding. The legs are decorated with semi-draped male figures above grotesque decorations and terminate in lions' paws. Basin at foot of fountain, now a planter.
Gift of the Hotel Statler Company, Inc. Was presented to the city in 1930 as part of a beautification project for the Park. Originally, water flowed from the cup the figure holds, into the raised bowl, and then into the basin. Fountain is no longer operable. A bronze dedication plaque originally on base is now missing.
Figure: bronze; Plinth & pool perimeter: granite; Pool liner: concrete.
Sculpture: approx. H. 15 ft. x Diam. 4 1/2 ft.; Base: approx. H. 3 ft. x Diam. 3 ft." (
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In addition, the Boston Arts Commission website describes the artistic fountain:
"The Statler Fountain was given to Boston by the Hotel Statler Company to grace a small park beside its hotel, now the Park Plaza Hotel. Created in 1930, the Art Deco fountain consists of a large granite basin, which is supported by a tall, bronze center column and three surrounding legs, decorated with semi-draped male figures and terminating in lions’ paws. At the center of the basin stands a rail-thin, bronze female figure, wearing her hair in thick braids. A cape-like garment falls from her shoulders and encloses her in its folds. She holds up a small basin in her raised hands. She appears to be the Biblical personification of hospitality offering a drink of cool water to the weary traveler. The figure and the fountain’s bronze decorations are the work of the sculptor Ulysses Ricci. The fountain no longer flows, and its base has found a new use as a flowerbed." (
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Due to the historic nature of the park and its amenities, the park was recently restored and received a 2012 Preservation Achievement Award from the Boston Preservation Alliance. The following describes the restoration effort:
"Statler Park
Restoration of a Park, Landscape,
or Natural Area
Owner of Plaza:
City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department
Owner of Roads:
City of Boston Public Works Department
Project Team:
Halvorson Design Partnership
D’Allessandro Corporation
Daedalus, Inc.
APS–Architectural Paving and Stone, Inc.
Rika Smith McNally & Associates
Freeport Fountains
D.L. Saunders Companies & The Boston Park Plaza Hotel
Motor Mart Garage
In June of 2011, the twelve-year quest to renovate Statler Park came to an end and a precious urban space in downtown Boston was revitalized. The renovation of historic Statler Park was a wide-ranging project encompassing not only the main green of the park, but also the adjacent roadways, crosswalks, and traffic island. The park now has a reconfigured lawn area with new benches, plants, and irrigation, as well as a central brick paved plaza with new benches and circular irrigated planting beds. New streetlights, tree planters, and bicycle racks line the freshly paved concrete sidewalks.
Statler Park’s centerpiece, a bronze fountain sculpture created in 1930 by American artist Ulysses Ricci, also underwent a restoration which included new plumbing and lighting, a restored fountain base, and perimeter basin wall. The expansion of a traffic island at Arlington Street, Stuart Street and Columbus Avenue foster a safer pedestrian area, and the installation of free Wi-Fi and handicap accessible crosswalks make a welcoming environment for the public." (
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