Last summer, I started a series pointing out the wonderful little stuff in these parts—and I thought I’d continue it this year.

#19. The cast-iron mermaid in front of Urban Archaeology is so fantastic—every time I walk by her, I smile (you may recall that I recently admired her rear). Here’s what Urban Archaeology’s website says about it (It appears to have been written by one Julian Green for a book titled Paris): “The architect and sculptor, Hittorff, created the mermaid and mermen [in 1820] as central characters for the Place de la Concorde fountain in Paris. Each figure, weighing approximately 1200 pounds, carried a mythical sea creature measuring almost 3’ long through whose mouth water spouted. The Fountain underwent renovations at the beginning of the 20th century and these original sculptures, then already one hundred years old, were replaced with replicas standing in the fountains to this day. Even the reproductions that stand in the fountain today would never be offered for sale. This ensures these original mermen and matching mermaid elite status as the most important figures created by Hittorff ever presented for sale.” It’s only $350K, and there are two mermen (that’s one below) at the Urban Archaeology showroom in Bridgehampton.

To see previous Valentines, click the “Valentine” tag below.