In October
1992, the retaining wall on the orchard
side of the parking terrace was built. A lionhead fountain spout, complete with
all the necessary plumbing, was part of this phase of the project. It was part
of a bigger scheme that would eventually incorporate a fountain in the orchard and
the completion of the parking terrace and cellar.
The choice
of the lionhead as the detail for the fountain was influenced by the classic use
of lions since ancient times to symbolise strength, power, nobility,
and courage. The Romans utilised lion sculptures for fountains, as seen with
the Corbridge Lion, where a lion's mouth served as the spout for a large
fountain.
After my
retirement we realised that we had some outstanding projects that were to be
completed by the time that we both retired. The water feature in the orchard
was one of them.
In November
2024, we commissioned a builder to offer a quotation for the retiling of a section
of the parking terrace, where the tiles had subsided and lifted under the large
oak tree. Included in the building project was the building of steps and a ramp
down to the cellar in the orchard. We took the opportunity to include the
building of the “leidam” (irrigation water cistern) water feature under the
lion fountainhead.
Although
the initial idea was to build the steps and sides of the ramp with natural
stone that we had collected over the years for incorporation into various building
details on the property, we decided to opt for bricks and plastered walls instead.
Keith decided to include klompie bricks in the steps and corner detail of the walls
for the steps, ramp and water feature. |
A klompie brick compared to a standard brick |
Klompie
bricks are small, traditionally hand-moulded Dutch bricks with a characteristic
earthy tone and weathered texture, historically used as ship’s ballast in the
17th century. They were sought after by local property owners and were prized
for their quality compared to local clays which were considered inferior for
brickmaking at the time. They were used for a variety of exposed brickwork and
details on buildings and landscaping features. |
The stoep and steps of Marie Koopmans De Wet House in Strand Street, Cape Town |
A good surviving
example is the walls of the stoep and the steps of the historic Marie Koopmans
De Wet House in Strand Street, Cape Town. The original dwelling, substantially
extended and altered over the years, was built in 1701 by Reijnier Smedinga,
silversmith, goldsmith, jeweler and joint assayer to the Dutch East India
Company. The old buildings of the Cape, Hans Fransen, 2004
In his book, 18th Century Architecture In South Africa, first published in 1933, G E Pearse described the use of klompjes at the Cape as Follows,
“For face work, steps, pavings, fountains, etc., small
bricks called 'klompjes,' measuring about 7" x 3" x 11", were
imported from Holland. Well made and burnt, they were of great decorative
value, weathering to a rich golden yellow. The most notable example of their
use is at the Castle, where they are used in the entrance in conjunction with
imported blue stone and also in the upper portion of the walls and the Bell
Turret."
The derivation of the term "klompje" as applied to
these bricks is somewhat obscure. Literally it signifies "a little lump”
and appears to be a local term of comparatively recent origin. They are called
"geele klinkers" (yellow hard bricks) in the record of goods received
from Holland and were imported in large quantities, a shipment of 50,000 being
recorded.
He illustrated the use of different paving methods and described the illustrations as follows,
 |
Image: 18th Century Architecture in South Africa, G E Pearse, 1933 |
"Klompje bricks on edge were most commonly used for steps and
also as a margin to the stoep pavings (Fig. 23D). Rough irregular mountain
stone was frequently employed in the courts and yards of the buildings, also
cobble-stone paving (Fig.23 E., F)."
At
Towerwater, the klompie bricks were used to reference this historical detailing
and incorporate it at the cellar entrance and around the water feature. At the
same time integrating the design with the established orchard and lion spout retaining
wall. |
Construction of the parking terrace retaining wall and the lion fountainhead commences in 1992 |
 |
An aerial view of the back of the retaining wall taken in September 2000 |
The
decision to use klompie bricks was easier than finding them. Although several
brick companies manufacture klompie bricks with coloured cement, we wanted ones
made with real clay to maintain the authentic feel of the building material on
the property. We found a company that made the klompie bricks with real clay
and also closer to the original specifications out at Joostenbergvlakte. It was
quite a process to obtain the correct klompie bricks but in the end, it was
worth the effort.
In March
this year, when the water poured into the leidam through the lion’s mouth, we
could stand back and marvel at the completion of the long overdue project.
Listening to the water falling into the leidam is part of the enchantment of
the water on the property. (Towerwater itself is derived from the Afrikaans
word for "enchanted" water.) |
The completed project |
 |
The completed project, including the orchard terrace |
Slowly but surely,
we are getting our ducks in a row. The klompie bricks around the entrance of
the cellar and the water feature in the orchard add historical detail,
connecting the project to Cape Dutch architectural traditions and creating a
timeless finish that incapsulates the essence of Towerwater.
Today we
can celebrate water gushing from the lion's mouth, believed to symbolise a
continuous flow of prosperity, influenced by Feng Shui principles, which
associate flowing water with good fortune and positive energy. The lion is
believed to represent divine power while the water symbolises purification and
life. Appropriate energies for a happy retirement.Sources:
18th Century Architecture in South Africa, G E Pearce, 1933
Homesteads and Villages of South Africa, James Walton, 1952
The Architecture of the Cape Colony from 1795 to 1838, Thesis for the Degree of Doctor Of Philosophy at the University of Cape Town, November 1961
Early 19th Century Architecture in South Africa, Ronald Lewcock, 1963
Cape Dutch Houses and Other Old Favorites, Phillida Brooke Simons, 2000