Wall fountains are also known as single face or faade fountains. It is not possible to ascribe the invention of wall fountains to an individual. However, it can be said with certainty that wall fountains did not originate in the western world. The hot and dusty climes of the ancient Middle East led to the development of garden and wall fountains. The ancient architects drew inspiration from the serene surroundings of the oases that dotted the desert landscape. Walls of ancient Egyptian tombs have sketches of gardens with fountains.
Wall fountains were placed both indoor and outdoors; although their objective was primarily decorative, they were also used for daily washings and ablutions. Another interesting use of wall fountains was to prevent eavesdroppers from listening to sensitive conversations. The water speed could be manipulated to achieve different sounds such as trickles, gurgles, etc. Public water systems were usually the water-source for outdoor wall fountains.
The ancient Greeks and Romans too had wall fountains as an intrinsic part of their culture. The outdoor fountains had multiple tiers of basins on elaborately sculptured walls. However, only the...