Carved Wood Ornament, Trickett Hall
Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
Restoration of Monumental Wood Carvings, on Tower
DESIGN AND REPRODUCTION OF MONUMENTAL CARVED WOOD ORNAMENT
The four clock faces in the tower of Trickett Hall (built in 1917 for the Dickinson College of Law) had once been framed by elaborate monumental ornamental wood carvings which had long ago succumbed to the elements and been removed. Using only the paint "shadow" left on the wall for guidance, A. Thayer Smith III, Inc. was able to replicate these carved ornamental swags, garlands and festoons in a durable composite. Placing paper against the wall, our artisans took a "rubbing" to establish the outline of these decorative carvings. The only other information that they had to go by was early photography, which showed the work from a great distance. From this, we were able to create new work stylistically consistent with the period building. Our long experience with architectural ornament enabled us to design a credible decorative replacement which was approved by the project architect and by the general contractor, Gilbane Building Company.
Click on images below to view at larger size.
Using the paint "shadow" left on the wall for guidance, we recreated the period design. |
A. Thayer Smith III, Inc. replicated missing monumental carved wood ornament in a durable composite. Using only the paint "shadow" left on the wall for guidance, we recreated a design consistent with the period. |
Another view of ornamental swag being detailed, showing sweep and scale. |
Showing mold ready for casting of four ornamental elements. |
Composite ornament being installed around the tower clock face, Trickett Hall. |
