Acqua Paola Fountain sterling silver replica , Rome, Giovanni Fontana , 1611.

This sterling silver replica of the "Janiculum Fontanone" was handmade by our artisans, with the "lost wax casting" technique. The Fountain of Acqua Paola (Fontana dell’Acqua Paola) is one of the most romantic and breathtaking places in Rome. It is known by Romans as “er Fontanone” (the “Big Fountain”) and is a baroque masterpiece which stands on Janiculum (Gianicolo) hill near the 180 degree view of Rome. Moreover, the fountain’s waters used to come from Lake Bracciano into the Eternal City. The Fountain of Acqua Paola was commissioned by Paul V Borghese in 1612 as a monumental representation of the aqueduct. The monument marks the end of the aqueduct and is named after its creator. After its creation, Paul V committed to several public works projects. One of these works was the renovation of the ancient Trajan Aqueduct so that it started to bring water to Trastevere again. As was popular at the time, all materials from the construction were scavenged from other ancient monuments. For instance, stone and marble were taken from the Forum of Nerva, while granite columns were taken from the St. Peter’s Basilica built by Emperor Constantine.