New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-22

was generally into wide hall. Space
was seldom of much consideration
and was usually sufficient to allow for
vertical panels or lights at either side
of the door. Large panes OF glass
were difficult to obtain, and these
panels were usually filled with loaded
glass Of pattern more or less elao-
crate.
Over the doorway, and extending
also over the side lights, would be
transom for the further lighting of TIL.
hall, also filled with loaded glass, with
roses" over the points where the
leads were joined. Very often the
transom took the form of semi
oval, in which case the leading of the
glass was worked out in the form of
a "fan-hght," which was generally the
browning glory and achievement OF
the doorway's designer.
The door itself was usually solidly
built, with panels arranged in various
decorative fashions, and the hardware
used was generally brass. although in
some cases silver, particularly on the
inner side of the doorway. Knockers
were, of course, often included and
were particularly effective against the
we'll designed panelling Of the doors.
At either side Of the doorway there
would be tall, slender huted columns
and pilasters, sometimes of stone, but
ordinarily of wood, crowned by capt.
tails carved in Ionic or Corinthian de-
signs. All of this woodwork was likely
to be painted cream or white, although
the panelled door itself might be OF
mahogany or of wood painted black
or dark green for the sake of con-
trast.
The entrance doorway was often
protected by portico supported upon
columns of the same design as those
used at the doorway. Where there
was no portico a pediment of some
form would often be used to create
the effect of dignity and strength re-
quired for an entrance so imposing.
We'll Designed lronwork Added.
In New York many of these stately
and formal entrances were rendered
even more impressive by the addition
of well-designed ironwork, espe-
cially ratings at either side of the
steps, terminating at the bottom in d
graceful curve or wrought iron
newell of elaborate design.
While New York possessed great
number of interesting doorways only
a few have survived the constant tear
ing down and rebuilding that are char
acteristic Of this impatient age. Most
of the doorways still left exist in vari-
GUS stages of decrepitude and decay,
in such neighborhoods as Varick
BOEO ana DlcCChCl oAiSSeS VI 80 NNN
old-fashioned localities of Chelsea and
Greenwich. A very few old doorways
possessing all of their original grace
and beauty are still standing. Per-
haps the best examples are found IN
the neighborhood just north of Wash
ington Square, locality which has
changed but little during the last nifty
or sixty years.
One of the landmarks of New York
is the row of fine old red brick resi-
dences which line the north side OF
Washington Square. Most of these
old houses are fitted with columns and
pediments of marble or of stone at the
outer doors. And set within deep
vestibules are the entrance doorways,
with the beauty OF their slender, fiuted
columns and gracefully curved cap
itals painted ivory or white and
framed with sidelights and fans" OF
loaded glass.
There is a certain subtle charm
I.--.s., IL <hacS