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matching schlesinger & mayer white glazed terra cotta lintels acquired late last week

an unexpected acquisition was made this week, in the form of two historically important and all original sullivan-designed, white glazed ornamental terra cotta lintels from the facade of the sullivan center (formerly known as the carson pirie scott building company). the landmark commercial building was designed by louis sullivan for the retail firm schlesinger & mayer in 1899, and expanded by him and subsequently sold to h.g. selfridge & co. in 1904.

 

 

 

the nearly identical building facade lintels were offered by an old colleague and client of mine- mike kramer, a representative of building blocks, inc.-- a chicago-based company specializing in the restoration of historic buildings containing terra cotta in need of repair or replacement. having taken part in restoration work on the sullivan center, the lintels' (acquired late last week) removal dates to the time of that project, in 2005-2006.  

the restoration work undertaken by building blocks included replacing severely damaged exterior terra cotta (originally fabricated by the northwestern terra cotta company, chicago, ills.) and replacing the 12th floor colonnade and cornice (the latter a glass fiber reinforced concrete reproduction, created by gfrc, inc. in lincoln, nebraska). the terra cotta units were recreated by gladding, mcbean terra cotta company, in lincoln, california.

building blocks generally contracts with boston valley terra cotta for reproductions in this material, using a company which relies upon both classical and contemporary manufacturing methods. with hand press molds alongside cnc machines, they rely on 3-d modeling and craftsmen to create accurate and efficient reproductions. when boston valley terra cotta began in the early 1980's, they entered the industry by manufacturing the replacement units for louis sullivan's guaranty building in downtown buffalo, new york. they have gone on to provide terra cotta for the fisher building, the reliance building, and the rookery.

the original schlesinger & mayer terra cotta panels, along with others housed in the bldg. 51 collection, were fabricated by the northwestern terra cotta company. both lintels contain multiple cavities free from mortar and brick. incised markings indicating maker, project, and placement are clearly visible on both sections. light crazing and discoloration evident from prolonged exposure to the elements and/or subsequent cleanings.


the bldg. 51 museum contains several additional artifacts from sullivan's 1899 schlesinger & mayer building, removed during renovations, restorations, etc. further information and/or a tour of the virtual museum can be found here.

 

 



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