TRITON is back and this time he should be able to cope with Oxford’s freezing winters.
The original 6ft Triton was installed in 1858 in the courtyard fountain in front of Radcliffe Infirmary in Woodstock Road.
But years of being iced up took their toll on the half-man, half-fish figure and he was removed for repairs last year.
Now the terracotta statue has been replaced with a replica made from clay-based Coade stone and was unveiled on Monday.
The work is part of the £200m transformation of the former hospital site into Oxford University’s new Radcliffe Observatory Quarter.
Oxford University head of conservation and buildings Isobel Hughes, pictured, said the project to provide a new Triton and repair the fountain cost a total of £60,000.
She added: “We are hoping to get the fountain up and running some time this week.”
According to mythology, Triton was the son of Poseidon, the Greek sea god.
Picture: OX54851 Richard Cave
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