Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-01-31
TERRA GOTTA IN AROHITEOTUhE.
The Ancient style or Decoration I'm
vogue-EGecis In Moulded Clay-A
Wilmington Firms Operations IN
va N llmnIrN.

the Revived industry.
In matters pertaining to decoration iu
architecture there has been the greatest
possible development and progress in the
pAst few years, and the vocation ID CON.
tinually rising to the dignity Of nne
art. The newest, and perhaps the most
practical illustration of this fact Ia the re-.
vival OF The use OF terra Gotta ware in the
erection of buildings for both interior and
exterior decorations. For producing
rich effects on the outside walls Of
buildings ia the new ware at present most
used, and It's capabilities as material for
practical, artistio use, are unlimited.
It's revival as a decorative feature Of
architecture Ia very recent, but 1t is
coming into general use and is very
popular. In New York, Boston, Phila-
delphia, thus materia, has been employed
with the finest effect; other cities are
following III their wake, and very soon it
is predicted, newly erected houses will
all bs beautified with this material,
wrought In artistic shapes. In this city
the architects have appreciated the beau
tful effect IL adds to their work and
specimens of II may bs seen on the new
law building at Ninth and Market streets,
Sharp's large store house at Fourth 4
Market streets, and Rumford's hat store
on Market street above Fourth. The
terra Gotta, used as named above, was
manufactured by the firm of James II.
Bsggs Il Co. The vast deposits OF
strong clay owned by the firm is
of the most acceptable nature
for the work and offers opportunities for
the owners to become thorough masters
Of the artistic calling. A clever business
in the terra Gotta work has already been
established and its steady healthy growth
indicates that though new contestants in
the battle OF trade the firm is gaining
prominence in the contest.
The manufacture OF terra Gotta ware is
most interesting calling, and it's
preparation for the firing process is
work of art and the greatest care. A
GAZETTE AND JOURNAL representative Was
Monday shown through the large frame
establishment of Besgs Co., wherein
the clay is taken in its crude state and
turned out in forms classio and unique.
Designers were carefully moulding the
duotile substance into various shapes,
from which plaster casts are taken, for
duplicating the pieces as frequently az
desired. After a driving process, which
ladts several days, the clay is baked in a
kiln at white heat, four days and nights,
when 1t is turned out in readiness for
use. The moulding is a delicate piece OF
work, and requires one with the instincts
and training of an artist II a high order
of work is desired.
The artists employed by Messrs. Beggs
x Co., are graduates OF celebrated Euro-
peap masters, and are pupils who do
credit to their tutors. Their wide versa
tility enables them to take in limitless
scope, and family suggests the great pos
sibilities OF the revived industry. The
clay ia modelled into every conceivable
form for decorative work in
original designs, anything imaginable
oKn be duplicated and pictures can be
reproduced in relief, which form all the
work takes. 1t can be moulded in any
sizes desired and by peculiar treatment
In it's burning all colors can be produced.
It its natural color the terra Gotta work
is precisely the color and presents sur
face similar 20 pressed brick.
Ornamental pressed brick Is q leading
feature of this revived industrial art.
These are moulded, then pressed and
various desigus sunk in the edge Of the
bricks with steel dies. The variety OF
forms taken by the clay Is almost
numberless aud the rich effect they pro-
duce when embodied in the wall OF a
building is sstonishipg.H Beggs Co. is
the only firm who manufacture preEsed
work OF this kind, a feature which
gives their worK much finer and richer
finish than any other ware OF its kind in
the market.
The moulders have already modelled
about one hundred different forms for
architectural decorations and numerous
lawn adornments vases, urns, ,statuettes,
&c., and this number which represents
the varieties In stock can be augmented
almost beyond count. Friszss for inseI t.
ing under oorDioe to relieve the mono
tony OF the wall, panels for interior or ex-
terror orDsmentstion, pediments or gables
over doors and windows, string courses for
going around building between stories
to break the monotony of walls, bell
courses for the same purpose, oolumnf
and caps, brackets or consoles, key
blocks, fenels, chimney tops, medallions
&c, are the chief forms into which til,
clay ia moulded for the ornamentation o
buildings.
A fire place pattern in stock represents
sun as centre piece with the starr
and moon OF either side panel and vas,
running climber about the panels as
frame work. The piece ia peculiarly
beautiful. Beside these aae immens,
vases with heads on either sids, any o
which are superb art PIECES.
A writer in the current number o
Hnpsr's Monthly says: "As a matter o
economy, terra Gotta has undoubtedl,
the advantage of reduplicating any form
for which a mould eau be made, but III
chief claim to artistic consideration i
that any delioacy an artist could expires
in ordinary modelling clay ia crystallizs
in the burning at least as dura
BILE as |. copied in marble or bronze
~ Bold overhanging cornioes mus
disappear in short the latter form
must give place to more bas relic
treatment of the whole structure Il
which color and rich detail will oomper
safe for the broad masses OF strong effect
Of light and shadow. By reason OF II
cheapness and the comparative cost {
terra Gotta and stone details makes 1t Gel
tain that terra Gotta will become mor
and more factor in street architecture.
The manufacturers claim that terri
Gotta is imperishsble, and will not crum
bic away, which tact ia verified by tn
finding of quantities of perfect bricks 9
the base OF the Babylon tower. 1t
cheaper by far than stone, more orni
mental and unaffected by heat, cons
quently it is fire proof.
1t Ia of interest to note in this col
neotion that the brick yards of James
BegRs Co. are among the very large
in this country. There are two lari
yards in operation, designated as the ea
aud west yards The two are clio
together on an elevation in the esstei
suburb of the city. The plant OF bo
covers nine acres Of land and includ
eight kilns with a capacity of 200,
bricks each and tSo pottsr's kilns.
Chsmbers' brick machine with ospaci
of turning out 35 900 bricks per day
operated, besides other improv
machinery used in the trade, all of whi
is driven by steam. Twenty eight gan
OF hand made" workmsn are employ
In the yards.
The firms put in brick last ye
was l2,500, 900, about 5000, 600 less III
the full capacity of the works. I
superiority OF the bricks made from
clay in these yards Ia admitted, and
hrm has large outside trade, notably
New York, where last year, nearly
million fue pressed bricks w
sent. In busy SEASONS $50 m
and great number of horses and ca
are employed in the different depsrtmel
OF the industry. The east yard Is CT
neoted by siding with the tracks OF
+. w. B. railroad, and from here sh