Fountain of the elephants

The Fontaine of the elephants commonly called the four without bottoms one of the monuments of the town of Chambéry in Savoy is set up in 1838 in the honor of the general count de Boigne.

Presentation

This Fontaine is perhaps the most famous monument of Chambéry, it was set up in 1838 by the Grenoble-native sculptor Pierre-Victor Sappey which commemorates the exploits in India marathes of the general count de Boigne (1751-1830). After the death of the general Count de Boigne in 1831, the Town of Chambéry decides to raise a monument to perpetuate the memory and the benefits of the famous character. The Council of City chose the project of the Resident of Grenoble Pierre-Victor Sappey, for his originality and its low costs. The monument is inaugurated on December 10th, 1838.

Description

The unit, high of 17,65 meters, is a skilful superposition of three monuments: a fountain, a column and a Statue. The fountain presents in its plan the Croix of Savoy. Four elephants joined together by the croup, made out of pig iron, throw water by the horn in a basin of octagonal form. They carry each one a tower of combat surmounted by a low-relief or an inscription. Above are a large variety of trophies: “Of the weapons Persians, mogholes, Hindu; various objects pointing out manners, arts and the civilization of the people which the general of Boigne fought or controlled, compose the trophies”. The large column is symbolized by a trunk of palm tree, it carries in its top the statue of the General. It is represented with the costume of Lieutenant Général of S.M. the King de Sardaigne.

Saved by the bombardment of May 1944, the statue throne from the point of view of the street of Boigne and remains still today a strong emblem of the city.

Gallery

was adopted during the season 1991-1992.

Notes and references of the article

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