MERMAID, PLACE DE LA CONCORDE, PARIS, JACQUES IGNACE HITTORF, 1833-1840. Architect and sculptor, Jacques Hittorff (1792-1867) created the Mermaid as a central character for the Place de la Concorde fountain in Paris. The fountain underwent renovations at the beginning of the 20th century and this original sculpture, then already one hundred years old, was replaced with a replica that is still standing in the fountain to this day. This original Mermaid, along with the two Mermen, are considered the most important figures created by Hittorff ever presented for sale. Acquired by Urban Archaeology in 1985, the Mermen and Mermaid have graced the firm’s entrances in New York City and Bridgehampton ever since. Cast iron with brown patina. H 83".

See Fountains, Splash and Spectacle - Water and Design from the Renaissance to the Present. Thames and Hudson, in association with Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution, 1998