Is it a Bollard ???
I came across this ornate 'bollard' piece of street furniture a few months ago and to be honest not sure whether it could be classed has an actually 'bollard'. Well I'm of the opinion it is now a 'bollard' which was once a beautiful ornate watering post.
If we look at the picture (above) we see the beautiful ornate cast iron work which is enhanced by its black color. The shape is interesting, square based which tapers inwards and then rises upwards with a tapering leaf/floral pattern. The main body is a plain square based rectangular column which then flares outwards with a further leaf/floral pattern/design. The top of the 'bollard'/post is bolted down I presume this would give access to the water pipe/supply inside.
The top is very ornate and beautifully finished tapering in a curved fashion upwards and capped off nicely with a bulb like object. If we look at the picture (below) we see the side which contains the now defunct water outlet/tap. Note the circular floral design around the tap which is certainly not the original piece.
Some may disagree with me but I do believe this is now a 'bollard' by default has it once had a function to supply water but not any more. This beautiful piece of street furniture reminds us of the past (probably Victorian) and fits in nicely with our present use of small posts to deter parking, create borders and mark territory using 'bollards'.
A watering hole/post....
Drawing by the younger George Scharf...
We have (above) an interesting #guestbollard which happens to be a picture by the younger George Scharf which was brought to my attention by the one and only @patrickbaty on the twitter who brought this wonderful drawing to my attention. It appears George Scharf made many drawings/sketches of the area around Westminster and this is just one fine example with bollards upon.
Bollards of London...
