Oak-tree Fountain, Sovetskaya Srednyaya St., Saint Petersburg, Russia, 198510
On the central axis of the Upper Garden, closest to the Grand Palace, is the "Oak" fountain. In the round basin, on a tuff island shaped like a starfish, park visitors are greeted by "Cupid putting on a mask." This sculpture was created in 1809 by the sculptor Rossi. Cupid is surrounded by six dolphins placed on the rays of the star, from whose mouths thin streams of water spout.
The name of the "Oak" fountain is connected to the fact that the basin, created in the 1730s, was originally decorated with a gilded lead oak surrounded by tritons and dolphins. The tree, made by Rastrelli, was removed from the basin in the mid-18th century and later used in the Lower Park during the creation of the playful fountain "Little Oak." The fountain's composition has changed multiple times, and now only the name recalls the original decoration. The parterre of the Upper Garden near the "Oak" fountain is adorned with expressive and dynamic marble figures by the Italian sculptor Bonazza, created in 1757: Flora, Zephyr, Vertumnus, Pomona.
One possible reason for the removal of the oak figure from the composition is the annual ceremony of blessing the banners of the Peterhof military units stationed in Peterhof, which has been held directly in the basin since the time of Elizabeth Petrovna. This tradition has now been revived.
Sources:
https://spb-parki.ru/parks/peterhof/verkhniy-sad/fontan-dubovyy/
https://peterburg.center/maps/petergof-verhniy-sad-fontan-dubovyy.html
