documenting vernacular architectural ornament, workers cottages, and northwestern "stock pattern" terra cotta in wicker park

hodgepodge of images including a figural sandstone keystone, sullivan-designed fret-sawn panel detail from holy trinity (1903), safe and threatened cottages, incised lemont window hoods, northwestern terra cotta ornament, anderson pressed brick neogrec blocks, painted pine wood bracketed cornice detail, and... there is so much to document and discuss.

fine example of art deco style polychrome terra cotta, with application of pulsichrome multi-colored sprayed-glaze finish. the exterior terra cotta panel (one of several adorning a 1920s chicago building) features stylized leafage and flowers typical of the period.
it's hard to say who fabricated the ornament, but if i had to guess, it would be northwestern. i've read about and seen several period northwestern ads promoting the application of pulsichrome finishes (glazed or unglazed) for combining colors and texture to mimic various types of stone, etc.

speaking of northwestern terra cotta, i was amazed at the number of "stock pattern" blocks plugged into the facades of several 19th century cottages i documented in wicker park the other day. 

in addition recording examples "in situ,” i’ve included a block i salvaged in 2017 from an 1884-1885 workers cottage on evergreen. several sections – devoid of ornament – had lightly incised stamps (applied to front) for northwestern terra cotta works. if i recall correctly, the short-lived practice of stamping their ornament occurred between 1883-1885.

the blocks i salvaged are of similar size and finish (i.e., reddish-orange slip) to the examples documented on cottage exteriors yesterday. the squared-shaped blocks typically contain two rear cavities punctured with single hole for placement of wrought iron anchor. they were installed as individual units or repeats (the latter are more frequently found on commercial buildings).

a few images of 19th and early 20th century hand-carved bedford limestone exterior ornament from today's shoot. 
most of the houses were two and three-flat greystones with richardsonian romanesque detail around windows, above doors, flanking arches, and so on. thankfully, this work never grows tiresome.

further reading: