photographic study of post-fire italianate row house interior element extraction
This entry was posted on July 25 2017 by Eric
in a previous post, i devoted a considerable amount of time to sharing both images and informational notes regarding the careful and systematic extraction of a post-fire chicago italianate row house interior staircase, comprised largely of walnut wood. the inspiration to focus solely on the structure's staircase was drawn from a book i had been studying at the time, entitled "the carpenter and joiner, and elements of hand-railing," written by robert riddell in 1869.
in this post, i felt the need to share the other architectural elements extracted from that same home, which will be completely renovated in the coming months. constructed shortly after the fire, this chicago row house was prototypical, in that it retained several of the original characteristics used in homes built during that time across the city. some of the more identifiable elements, include (but are not limited to) built-up molding, arch top doors, walnut wood staircases, marble mantels, plaster brackets and ceiling medallions, and ornamental bronze hardware. the following images and accompanying descriptions focus on many of these features, surviving relatively unscathed, due in large part to the circumstances surrounding ownership of the home. left largely immune to the alterations beginning around the time of the depression, many of these italianate mansions were divided up into boarding rooms devoid of the amenities that were available to the families that occupied the homes at the time of their completion.
original carrara marble fireplace mantel with "horseshoe" opening. the style and configuration of this mantel was a common fixture in chicago homes constructed before and shortly after the great chicago fire of 1871.
the original ornamental keystone was anchored in place with a single wood peg.
documenting and/or numbering the mantel components is necessary for reassembly.
reassembled and photographed in studio.
original japanned (i.e., baked black enameled) ornamental cast iron arch top surround and removable summer cover.
the hardware, including this exposed passage door mortise lock, was fabricated by the branford lock works, branford, ct.
original cast bronze recessed window pulls or lifts with neogrec key.
the solid hand-carved cherry wood overmantel was likely added during the 1880's.
cararra marble mantel located on the second floor master bedroom. the mantels on the second floor are less stylized then the two found in the first floor parlors.
removal of the mantel revealed piles of wadded newspaper (stuffed in the flue) indicating it was last used during the depression.
closer look at the wadded newspaper dating to the 1930's.
note the date in the top left corner.
the second floor mantel (original to build date) extracted and later photographed in the studio.
original japanned ornamental cast iron summer cover and surround.
section of original oak and walnut wood parquet flooring used throughout the first floor.
extraction of the multi-part or built-up pine wood elaborate first floor molding.
the first floor white pine built-up door and window casing consisted of five individual pieces nailed together.
This entry was posted in , Miscellaneous, Salvages, Bldg. 51, New Products, Events & Announcements, New Acquisitions, Featured Posts & Bldg. 51 Feed on July 25 2017 by Eric
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