TERRA-COTTA, BRICK, ETC.
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by Torrigiano or his pupils. They still show the marks of the modelling tool. Terra-cotta, like bricks and tiles, is practically indestructible by ordinary agencies, and this quality alone should commend it particularly for fine ornaments, capitals, bas-reliefs, cornices, window-caps, etc. It is admirably adapted for, and is chiefly used in, combination with brick. Examples abound in the chief cities of Europe, notably in the modern public buildings of London, Berlin and Vienna. The Koyal Albert Hall and the South Kensington Museum in London are familiar. It is now largely used in Vienna for decoration, especially for figures, balustrades, consoles, and bas-reliefs for insertion in walls.
The industry was largely represented in the Paris Exposition of 1867, in the London International Exhibition of 1871, and at the Exhibition in Vienna. It is gratifying that the industry is already firmly established in the United States, and that it bids fair to assume large proportions, particularly in the Western States, where suitable building stone cannot be readily and cheaply obtained.
Terra-Cotta at Vienna.
Vienna Brick and Building Company. —The great brick and tile company of Vienna—the " Wienerberger Ziegel- fabriks und Baugesellschaft ”—made an exhibition worthy of its reputation as the most extensive brick and terra-cotta manufacturing: concern in the world. It erected an artistic
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triumphal arch at the eastern end of the space, partly enclosed by the art buildings,—a sort of gate-way or entrance to the Art Department from the east,—which not only added to the fine architectural effects of that group of buildings, but gave the company the opportunity to display their varied architectural productions to the best advantage. This arch, high and broad enough for a carriage-way and transverse arched portals, was constructed wholly of the red and drab bricks made by the company, with ornaments of terra-cotta, such as cornices, mouldings, statues, bas-reliefs, and medallions,—some plain, others enamelled in colors. The various forms of bricks were well displayed in this arch, in the cornices, in the door-jambs and vaulted roof, the bricks being so perfect in form and finish that, when well laid, no surface-
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