Fuente de Mercurio (Sevilla)

 fuente, estanque

Jardín del Estanque / Estanque de Mercurio
The large pond should have its origin in a previous pool used as a water store for the surrounding orchards and that would become the pond of the Garden. This pool existed from the epoch of Carlos V and it was known as a Corral of the Chorrón (Corral del Chorrón). In the last quarter of XVI-th century, this sector would be strongly remodeled following the Renaissance air that then roamed the Palace, with the construction of a high passage which would join the high Royal quarter (Cuarto Real) with the gardens and that divided the old Corral del Chorrón.
The change of the Moslem reservoir to pond took place in 1575. The pond is surrounded by a metal railing with pedestals of marble, with heraldic lions in the corners and 18 balls (spheres) on dolphins with large masks decoration and crowned by pyramids.The fountain dedicated to mythological God Mercury (the God of the commerce) is placed in the center of the pond.
The small statue of the God was modeled by Diego de Pesquera and cast in gilded bronze by Bartolomé Morel in 1575. He wears a traveler hat, winged sandals and Caduceus in his left hand. At his feet there are child figures and jets with figureheads. This, coupled with the mythological paintings from the Gallery of the Grutesco, were symbols of wealth of the city as a Port and Door of the Indies.