Blandford (click on photograph to bring up bigger/better version).
At the museum, Blandford Forum, Dorset. Most unusually, the valves survive, and although they surely can't be the original ones, it's rare to find any valves still present in a lead pump. The weighted inlet valve, which would have been located at the base of the barrel, is sitting loose in the tank, and can be seen at the bottom of the photo. Thanks to Shawn Shaw for the photos and discussion, below. Nearby is a notice which reads: | |
The Bastard Pump This pump was found in Bere's Yard, Blandford (where this museum is now situated) in 1985. It was formerly erected near the cottages in the yard. This pump appears to have been erected in 1773 by John Bastard, a nephew of John Bastard the Elder (one of the famous Bastard Brothers) who died in 1770. Note the Phoenix, denoting the rising up of the town from the ashes of the properties destroyed by the fire of 1731. |
|
Markings: A highly decorated lead tank, featuring "1773", the
initials "JB", two female figures, two fleurs-de-lis and what is described
above as a phoenix. A phoenix would indeed fit nicely with the fact that the
Bastard brothers were famous for their rebuilding work in the town following
the large fire of 1731. A closer look at it,
though, suggests to Shawn (and I concur) that it's more likely to be a
swan unchained rising out of a coronet, a
crest used by various families, and with various deep meanings. The
fleurs-de-lis feature in the badge of the Baronets Portman of
Bryanston. Manufacturer: Unk. |
|Back|