intricately designed c. 1895-98 patinated cast iron wall-mount corporate gift or presentation plaque designed fabricated and distributed by the american radiator company of chicago. the late 19th century figural hanging wall plaque features several design elements used on their widely popular "cherub" pattern residential and commercial radiators. the figural motifs include dragon and lion heads, cherubs and a woman with raised arms in the central recessed region of the plaque. the nicely aged surface finish is uniform throughout. the plaques were also issued to customers who outfitted their homes with american radiators. the american radiator company was founded by american industrialist john bartlett pierce. his first business enterprise was a store in buffalo, new york. recognizing the potential of steam/boiler heat in the northern united states, he established the pierce steam heating company, which manufactured and sold steel boilers and cast iron radiators. in 1892 he merged independent manufacturers to form the american radiator company, of which he was vice president. by the early 1920's, american radiator heating and cooling equipment had gained widespread popularity, both in commercial as well as residential applications. between 1923-24, the company built a new corporate headquarters in manhattan, located at 40 w. 40th street. the 36 story gothic art deco building was designed by architects raymond hood and andre fouilhoux. the structural form is based on eliel saarinen's unbuilt competition entry for chicago tribune building. the 36-story building had one of the first set-back pyramidal silhouettes in the city, and another influenced by saarinen's entry on the chicago tribune competition. the program for the building called for a relatively small structure, and to give the structure an enhanced appearance of a tower, hood set the building back from the neighboring buildings. the black brickwork on the facade was chosen to lessen the visual contrast between the walls and the windows and thus give the tower an effect of solidity and massiveness. the gothic-style pinnacles and the terra cotta friezes on the edges of the setbacks are coated with gold. the base is clad in bronze plating and black granite. there are carved allegories, symbolizing the transformation of matter into energy, quite appropriate for a heater company. the entrance lobby is decorated with black marble and mirrors. in accordance with the line of manufacture of the builder, the building was designed with a display hall for american radiator's heater products. the very rare and highly collectible advertising piece measures 18 1/2 x 15 inches.