la Villette: Answer

Fontaine aux Lions de Nubie 
(Nubian Lion Fountain), 1811. 

Moved in 1867 to the south end of the 
Parc de la Villette. 

19th arrondissement. Metro: Porte de Pantin

Photo: Anita Braham, Bree Tramontana, & Dustin Beck

Originally part of Napoleon Bonaparte's plan to more efficiently supply water to Parisians, this fountain was originally situated in what is now the Place de la République. It was later moved, in 1867, to the Parc la Villette to serve as a water trough for animals during the time when the park was used as the city's cattle market and slaughterhouse. 

Photo: Bree Tramontana, Anita Braham, & Dustin Beck

The crouching lions, paired for a total of eight, are made of cast iron and shown in sphinx-like positions, with their front legs extended and parallel and with their tails curled around their backsides. 

They recall the ancient Egyptian lions originally from the large Ancient Roman complex of Isis that were later installed on the stairway of the Capitoline Hill in Rome. In 1588, they were outfitted with piping and their transformation into water-spouts was complete. 

Musée de Picardie, Amiens

These famous Capitoline lions spouting water were known in France well before the creation of the Nubian Lion Fountain, as they had impressed French artists studying and working in Rome. The Laundresses (c. 1758-60), attributed to Hubert Robert (1733-1808), demonstrates an early French interest in this ancient feline bubbler.