A fish with distinctly human features – eyes, nose and even a moustache reminiscent of German emperors displayed on a fountain in Schwetzingen.

The fountain was erected in honour of Friedrich I, Grand Duke of Baden, and his wife, Luise (daughter of the first German emperor Wilhelm I). 

The two are seen on either side, the shield of arms of Baden in the middle (a red stripe on a yellow field if it were in colour) and the strange fish underneath.

I’ve tried to find an explanation for this whimsical waterspout and could only find a description stating that the fish head is supposed to show an affinity to the art nouveau style of the time. I find this explanation less than satisfying and there is something distinctly fishy about it, to my mind at least.

Fishy or Friendly Friday: Something Fishy