Fountain "Sheaf"

The powerful and lush fountain "Sheaf," placed in a deep basin 12 meters in diameter, is the main water jet of the Montplaisir Garden ensemble. The fountain's cordon was carved from Pudost stone and decorated with tuff, while the bottom of the basin is lined with black and white marble slabs. From the tuff pedestal located in the center of the basin, the central jet soars to a height of four and a half meters, surrounded by twenty-four inclined jets arranged in two tiers. They resemble a large sheaf of heavy ears of grain, showering transparent grains.

Since ancient times in Russia, the sheaf was considered a symbol of fertility and wealth, and in the allegorical language of the 18th century, this fountain became an embodiment of the power and prosperity of the Russian Empire.

Documents indicate that the Italian architect Miketti constructed the central fountain of the Montplaisir Garden based on a drawing by Peter I himself, which has not survived to this day. The hydraulic device of the water jet was handled by the French master Paul Swalem. The fountain's first test was successfully conducted in April 1723.

In terms of scale and artistic design, the multi-jet and powerful water jet "Sheaf" fully corresponds to the size and appearance of "Montplaisir" — Peter I's favorite summer palace.

Sources:

https://spb-parki.ru/parks/peterhof/ansambl-vostochnoy-chasti/fontan-snop/

https://peterhofmuseum.ru/objects/peterhof/fontan_snop

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Сноп_(фонтан)