Playfair Memorial Drinking Fountain

The Playfair Memorial Fountain is an important example of a late 19^th century ornamental drinking fountain. It was erected to establish a permanent memorial to Alderman Thomas Playfair (1832-1893). Playfair was one time Mayor of the City of Sydney, founder of the Flemington Saleyards and moderniser of the Sydney water supply.

The fountain was built from New South Wales white polished marble quarried at Caloola Creck, near Bathurst. The fountain is set on a patent axed base comprising five square blocks of Bowral trachyte. Four of the trachyte blocks forma plinth and the fifth block is placed centrally as the base of the urn-like fountain. The fountain was originally fitted with two silver plates or gunmetal taps and two drinking cups, which were attached by stapled chains. The taps, cups and chains are missing.

The Playfair Memorial Fountain was unveiled by the Mayor of Sydney, Alderman Isaac Ellis Ives on the afternoon of the 28^th May 1896 as a memorial to Alderman Thomas Playfair. The fountain demonstrates the importance placed on civic reforms and concern for the amenity of the public by the Sydney City Council in an era of developing the public water supply. It is a rare example of Victorian era drinking fountains and of sculptor’s work. William P Macintiosh was a prominent sculptor in Sydney during the late 19^th century, and responsible for the marble statue groups on the Queen Victoria Building among other notable works.