River God

The fountain inside of the arbor is one of the key ornaments in the garden room. Farrand toyed with the idea of designing a lion fountain head, and Havey later reimagined the iron plants that would frame the fountain. The plaque that the river god head is mounted on is designed from a wreath of cattails (an homage to the river god), and wheat, the signature motif of Dumbarton Oaks and symbol of the Blisses.

Drawing and handwriting of a design for the river god fountain head — Beatrix Farrand, Plaque for mask in “E” Arbor, and section thru pool for Robert W. Bliss Esq. at Washington, D.C., 1931. Garden Archives, LA-GD-P-3-06

River God fountain in place on wall underneath Arbor — Photographer unknown, Arbor Terrace, Wisteria arbor, detail of dripping fountain, 1931–1950. Garden Archives, LA-GP-4-15

Image: Photograph by Gabe Ziaukas, 2021

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River God

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