Contos Fountain
Ouro Preto/MG
Description:Chafriz dos Contos (Contos Fountain) is located on São José Street, in former São José Plaza, current Reinaldo Alves de Brito Square, in the city of Ouro Preto. Of unknown authorship, it dates back from 1786. It is a mural Fountain of a mixed constructive system: brickwork and ashlar. The central body is in lime wash brickwork, delimited by carved stone ornamentation composed of a conjugation of volutes around a central shell. It displays a 1760 inscription in Latin. In the lower part, there is a rectangular stone bowl with openings in its front façade, used for water drainage. The main ornamentation stands out, consisting of curves that roll in volutes in the extremities, creating a central space occupied by a large shell. The lower extremities also roll in volutes, in the shape of an eagle’s head, from where water pours out.
Situation:This Fountain belongs to the Town Hall of Ouro Preto and maintains its original function, as a water supply. Many restorations took place in the 20th century: in 1911, the pavement was levelled; between 1935 and 1936, the damaged parts of Itacolomi stone were reconstituted; between 1947 and 1954, the wall was recovered and reinforced. According to the data from a fieldwork done in 2003, this fountain is in a good state of conservation.
Inventory information:This Fountain was listed on June 19, 1950, process 430-T-950, registration number 371, in the Fine Arts Book, vol. 1, p. 74.
