Snug Harbor Cultural Center

Artwork History

This fountain on the East Lawn of Sailors’ Snug Harbor Cultural Center depicts a heroic-sized Neptune figure atop a serpent with his spear poised to strike. In 1892 New York City’s John W. Fiske Iron Works cast the original piece in zinc and painted it bronze to keep costs low. Over the years the figure deteriorated and Neptune lost his hands, an arm, and a foot.

This replica is based on original plans using historic photographs and wax casts from the original zinc monument. After being recast by the Modern Art Foundry in Queens, Neptune returned via the Staten Island Ferry to a reconstructed spot at the site. The 1994 reconstruction included rebuilding the original cast-iron fountain basin, updating the electrical system and plumbing, and fabricating by hand the ornamental lily flowers. The surrounding area was re-landscaped and benches were added to the site while the original Neptune was stabilized and placed indoors on view in the Visitor’s Center.

Artwork Details