early 1930's american depression era art deco style exterior speckled glaze terra cotta frieze panel salvaged from the non-extant nortown theater facade prior to demolition. the large single-sided ornamental panel features a striking chevron motif surrounded by elegant scrolls and floral motifs. the original off-white marbleized finish remains largely intact, with surface discoloration evident from years of exposure to the elements. the backside of the panel, once containing multiple cavities or "webbing" were carefully removed to dramatically reduce the overall weight of the panel. the glazed terra cotta panel was fabricated by the american terra cotta company, chicago, il. any and all steel anchors were carefully removed. the atmospheric nortown theater was designed and built in 1931 by architect j.e.o. pridmore and the paschen brothers as general contractors. containing over 2000 seats, the auditorium was modeled after the mediterranean region of europe, with an italian courtyard overlooking the sea. the walls gave off an illusion of a seascape and garden scene containing the exteriors of villas with tile rooftops. the audience was seated in full view of the ocean, with lighthouse effect and ships passing in the offing. the nortown was considered the first theater given a pronounced marine treatment. the auditorium ceiling was designed to emulate an "april constellation," with astronomy professor j.c. penn of the armour institute, commissioned to arrange the stars in their proper places to insure an authentic layout. located in chicago, the theater was torn down in 2007. urban remains salvaged the interior and exterior ornament for nearly half a year. 30 1/2 inches x 1 1/2 inches x 20 1/2 inches.