Fountain joke "Umbrella" or "Mushroom"

The idea of creating "soaking amusements" at the Peterhof residence belonged to Peter I, who, as is known, enjoyed such jokes and pranks. Although some of the trick fountains in the Lower Park were arranged at the end of the 18th century, in terms of operation and decorative design principles, they fully correspond to the water amusements of Peter's gardens. The trick fountain "Umbrella" is one of several trick fountains in the palace and park ensemble of Peterhof, located in the Lower Park near the Montplaisir Alley. It was created in 1796 by architect Brouwer and fountain master Keyser. It is believed that its creation was influenced by the court's fascination with China, which was also reflected in the construction of "Chinese" buildings in Tsarskoye Selo. The fountain resembles an umbrella in shape: a massive column supports a wide bright green roof, topped with a wooden carved flower. The column is encircled by chairs with carved armrests. As soon as guests gathered under this roof, from one hundred and sixty-four small pipes hidden behind elegant carved festoons, elastic jets would start shooting, forming a dense water curtain. In the 1860s, the fountain's roof was given the appearance of a fly agaric mushroom. Since then, for almost a century, the trick fountain was called not "Umbrella," but "Mushroom." During the Great Patriotic War, the fountain was destroyed. In 1949, during the monument's restoration, the decision was made to return to its original appearance and name. The name "Mushroom" is still used by the old-timers of Peterhof.

The fountain was created as a joke on park guests. It resembles an umbrella in shape: a massive column supports a wide green roof, topped with a wooden carved semi-dome. The column is encircled by benches shaped like chairs with carved armrests. Guests had to run under this roof before jets of water, coming from one hundred and sixty-four small pipes hidden behind elegant carved festoons, began to shoot, forming a dense curtain. According to another version, guests in festive attire were seated on the bench under the umbrella roof. Suddenly, the water supply would turn on, and the guests found themselves facing the prospect of exiting the fountain exclusively through the water curtain.

Sources:

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

https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Зонтик_(фонтан-шутиха)

http://www.ilovepetersburg.ru/content/fontany-shutikhi-nizhnego-parka-petergofa