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A memorial drinking fountain, a monument to accused witches burned at the stake in Edinburgh, close by to the memorial and prominently between 1479 and 1722. The bronze relief features a foxglove plant, a snake curled around the heads of Hygeia, Greek goddess of good health, and Aesculapius, god of medicine. The sides feature trees, healing hands and the evil eye, and there is a spout beneath the snake’s head.

Title

The Witches' Well

Date

1894

Medium

bronze

Measurements

H 150 x W 100 x D 25 cm (E)

Accession number

EH1_CB_S019

Acquisition method

commissioned by Sir Patrick Geddes

Work type

Water fountain, trough or pump

Custodian

Historic Environment Scotland

Work status

extant

Inscription description

in relief lettering on the accompanying bronze plaque of 1912, placed above: THIS FOUNTAIN, DESIGNED BY JOHN DUNCAN, R.S.A., / IS NEAR THE SITE ON WHICH MANY WITCHES WERE / BURNED AT THE STAKE. THE WICKED HEAD AND SERENE / HEAD SIGNIFY THAT SOME USED THEIR EXCEPTIONAL / KNOWLEDGE FOR EVIL PURPOSES, WHILE OTHERS WERE / MISUNDERSTOOD AND WISHED THEIR KIND NOTHING / BUT GOOD. THE SERPENT HAS THE DUAL SIGNIFICANCE / OF EVIL AND OF WISDOM. THE FOXGLOVE SPRAY FURTHER / EMPHASISES THE DUAL PURPOSE OF MANY COMMON OBJECTS.; on the left side, in relief: THE EVIL EYE; on the right side: HANDS OF HEALING; on the top left of the front: MCCCCLXXIX; on the bottom right: MDCCXXII

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Castlehill, Edinburgh

EH1 2ND

Set on the corner wall by the shop.

Artist or maker

John Duncan

1866–1945

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