Gargoyles are elaborate figures, mostly made of metal or stone, and, of course, spew water. They decorate Gothic church roofs and many a garden pond or fountain. Read what you should consider when buying such a piece of jewelry. We also present three particularly popular models.
From elegant to funny: the choice of gargoyles is enormous
Our recommendations
our recommendation
Gargoyle frog prince 22cm incl. pump pond decoration garden figure metal
23.50 EUR To the product| material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| size | 22 centimeters |
| Weight | approx. 1.4 kilograms |
| pump | 240 volts |
| functionality | electricity |
This gargoyle figure from the well-known fairy tale "Frog King" is particularly popular and well rated by Amazon customers. The 22 centimeter high figure shows a frog sitting on a ball with a golden crown on his head. The entire figure is made from cast iron and comes complete with a pump and matching hose. The gargoyle can be used both indoors and outdoors, but due to its weight of approx. 1.4 kilograms it needs a stable surface. A power connection is required for operation, but you can also connect the water feature to a suitable solar pump. According to various customer reports, this is possible without any problems, but such a pump must be purchased separately. our recommendation
OASE 36777 gargoyle fish | pond figure | Decoration | water jet | oxygen |
21.25 EUR To the product| material | polyresin |
|---|---|
| size | 24 x 13 x 15.5 cm (L x W x H) |
| Weight | k. A |
| pump | none |
| functionality | electricity |
This cute gargoyle in the form of a fish is also very popular with Amazon customers, but unlike our previous model, it is delivered without a suitable pump or hose. You have to purchase both separately, since such a pond game does not work without a pump. Here you have the choice between electricity and solar-powered pumps, for which a standard pond pump is completely sufficient. The fish is made of polyresin plastic, which is described as weather-resistant and is significantly lighter than cast iron. The hose should have an inner diameter of 13 millimeters to fit the brass hose connector. This equates to about half an inch. our recommendation
OASE 36778 gargoyle turtle | pond figure | Decoration | water jet | oxygen |
21.49 EUR To the product| material | polyresin |
|---|---|
| size | 23 x 17 x 12.5 cm (L x W x H) |
| Weight | k. A |
| pump | none |
| functionality | electricity |
Also one of the customer favorites among the gargoyles at Amazon is this turtle figure, which is offered by the same manufacturer as the previously presented fish. The turtle is also made of weatherproof polyresin and has a 13 mm hose connection made of high-quality brass. A suitable hose and the pump are also not included in the scope of delivery and must be purchased separately. However, since these are standard dimensions, this should not be a problem - especially since you can choose the pump you want yourself and are not dependent on the manufacturer's specifications. The turtle also works either with an electricity or solar-powered pond pump.
Purchase Criteria
material
Since gargoyles are of course constantly under the influence of moisture, the material must be resistant to moisture and very robust. Wood, for example, is less suitable in this context.
metal: Metal, such as stainless steel, cast iron, brass or copper, of course look very nice - but optically change over time. For example, copper tarnishes green, cast iron develops a reddish-brown patina, etc. This is completely normal - after all, the material reacts to the influences of water and sun - and not a defect.
concrete/ stone: Gargoyles made of concrete or stone look much more stable, especially since these materials are much more robust against moisture and do not corrode. However, concrete in particular is very sensitive to frost, which is why water features must always be deactivated and emptied during the cold season.
plastic: Gargoyles made of plastic, such as weatherproof polyresin, look very similar to figures made of metal or stone, but are much lighter. On the other hand, they do not have the positive properties of these materials and are more susceptible to weather influences such as sun, frost and heat.
height and weight
How big and heavy the gargoyle can be depends primarily on the intended location. Should the figure be placed by the garden pond or at the edge of a small fountain? How robust and stable is the subsoil? Is it threatening to tip over slightly? All of these questions must be clarified before the selection is made in order to make the right decision - after all, the heavy gargoyle made of cast iron or concrete does not necessarily fit the small indoor fountain in the conservatory. A smaller and lighter model made of polyresin, on the other hand, does.
pump
Like all water features, a gargoyle does not work without a pump, which circulates the water and ensures that the water can bubble. In most cases, a commercially available pond pump with around 240 volts, which is either powered by electricity or solar power, is sufficient. For a power-driven pump you need a cable and a power connection, the solar-powered, on the other hand, only works with solar energy - but only if the sun shines long enough. If you choose a pump with multiple connections, you can connect additional water features if required.
hose
A hose is also indispensable, because the water has to flow through it. When buying the gargoyle, pay close attention to the dimensions of the water connection on the figure. These give you information about the inside diameter of a suitable hose. Sometimes the gargoyle figure is sold with a matching hose and pump, so all you have to do is connect the set. In most cases, however, you have to take care of the necessary accessories yourself.
optics
Centuries-old gargoyles carved from stone can be admired on churches and have lost none of their fascination to this day. Whether dragons or other mythical creatures, fairy tale or animal figures: today there is a large variety of different motifs, as well as colors and materials. In this case, whatever you like is allowed. However, make sure that the material used is weatherproof so that you can enjoy your water feature for a long time.
youtubefrequently asked Questions
What are gargoyles?
In the original sense, gargoyles are figures that are attached to gutters and pipes and are intended to direct escaping rainwater away from the house wall - ergo "spit" (i.e. "spit"). These figures still exist today, but modern gargoyles are mostly used as decorative elements on (or in) the garden pond or on a fountain.
Where can you use gargoyles?
As described, gargoyles not only have an optical benefit, but in many cases also a very practical one. Attached to rain gutters and water pipes, they direct water away from house walls and thus prevent them from becoming soaked. In the garden pond, the figures support the supply of oxygen, which benefits the fish and plants living in it.
Do you absolutely need a pump for operation?
Of course, the classic gargoyle, which acts as a kind of cover and extension of the rainwater pipe, does not need a pump. Here the rainwater flows out of the figure all by itself. However, a pump is absolutely necessary for water features that are used for garden ponds or fountains and are intended to “spout” water permanently. After all, without one, the water will not move.
Where to buy beautiful gargoyles?
You can buy beautiful gargoyles in many places, for example in stationary shops. Garden and hardware stores usually have a small selection of popular figures, and you can sometimes find them in aquaristics shops or pet shops. However, the largest range of not only popular, but also more unusual models can be found online.
How much do gargoyles cost?
How much money you spend on a gargoyle depends on various factors. Here play u. the size of the figure, the material, the workmanship and the quality play a major role. You can get pretty water features from around EUR 20 to 25, but larger and higher quality models (e.g. made of natural stone) can be significantly more expensive at EUR 50 to 80. Many a rare or high-quality piece goes for more than 100 EUR over the (virtual) shop counter. In short: there is something for every budget.
equipment
pond pump
our recommendation
T.I.P. Fountain pump WPS 1000 R, up to 1,000 l/h flow rate
28.99 EUR To the productIf the gargoyle is to beautify the garden pond or a fountain, a suitable pump is indispensable. For these you need a power connection or, what is the more elegant solution, you simply choose a solar pump. This works completely without a power connection, and you don't have to lay the necessary connections first.