Design objet d’week, 15 March 2024: dragon drainpipes

What is is

What we’re looking at is a drainpipe, decorated to look like a dragon. The mouth open in a roar, lovely gold bandings diagonally all the way up the black-painted iron pipe. 2024 is the Chinese Year of The Dragon. This one was created circa 1800. We found it on the National Bank of France building in the 17th arrondisement.

How it’s user-centred

Well, it isn’t terribly, but it is an example of a delightful union of form and function. William Morris said: “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be beautiful or believe to be useful”. Or in this case, have nothing attached to your bank that isn’t.

Why else we like it (is it sustainable? accessible?)

A joy to walk past. Made of metal not plastic, and has lasted rather a long time so I think that ticks sustainability.

Can I get one?

No. You could commission a similar style drainpipe. Or decorate your existing ones.