Chafariz Dos Cantos, (sculpture).

Chafariz Dos Cantos, (sculpture).

Bernucci, Tito, sculptor.

Readinger, Herman, contractor.

Weber and Curry, architectural firm.

Chafariz Dos Cantos, (sculpture).

Fountain of the Tales, (sculpture).

Installed 1955-1956. Dedicated May 26, 1956.

Digital Reference:

Fountain: Portugal granite, painted; Medallions: bronze; Wall: stucco-covered brick and clay tile.

Overall: approx. 26 x 40 x 9 ft. (62 tons).

(Metal plaque on front of the fountain base:) FROM THE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL/A TOKEN OF FRIENDSHIP TO HER/NAMESAKE THE CITY OF BRAZIL/1954 (Metal plaque on back of fountain base:) CHAFARIZ DOS CONTOS/FOUNTAIN OF TALES/A GIFT FROM THE REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL TO BRAZIL, INDIANA. PROFFERED TO THE CITY OF/BRAZIL IN 1950 AND ERECTED IN 1955 AND 1956/THIS FOUNTAIN IS AN EXACT REPLICA OF THE FOUNTAIN IN OURO PRETO, BRAZIL STARTED/IN 1745 AND DEDICATED IN 1760/THE ERECTION OF THIS FOUNTAIN HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY THE CITY OF BRAZIL AND BY/SPECIAL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE FOLLOWING/(list of names follows)/CITY OFFICIALS/1955 1950/(list of names follows)/CONTRACTOR ARCHITECTS FOR ERECTION/HEMRAN READINGER WEBER AND CURRY unsigned

A wall fountain comprised of a fanciful pediment with a scroll and finial, below which is an open shell on a pedestal from which two fish emerge. The fountain spews water into a narrow trough below. Flanking the granite fountain are bronze medallions, with the U.S. Seal on the left and the Seal of Brazil on the right.

Object -- Other -- Shell

Outdoor Sculpture -- Indiana -- Brazil

Administered by City of Brazil, Parks Department, 203 East National, Brazil, Indiana 47834

Located Forest Park, Facing South Forest Avenue, Brazil, Indiana

The fountain was privately funded, but erected by the City. Its title is Spanish, translated as "Fountain of the Tales," and it was given as a token of friendship from the Republic of Brazil to its namesake, the City of Brazil, Indiana, in 1954. It is an exact replica of one of Brazil's historic monuments, constructed between 1745 and 1760 at the foot of the bridge at Sao Jose Dos Cantos, named Chafariz de Sao Jose. The idea for the new fountain originated with Brazilian Ambassador Mauricio Nebucco, who visited Brazil, Indiana in 1950 at the request of President Dutra. The offer of the fountain was made to the city and an act of Brazilian Congress created a committee to study it. The fountain was shipped to the United States on Dec. 31, 1953. It is sited beside Nabuco Drive, named in honor of the ambassador. IAS files contain transcription of names on plaque on rear of base; and excerpt from "Clay County, Indiana History 1880-1984."

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Indiana survey, 1993.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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