10 Feb northwestern terra cotta “stock pattern” and custom-designed french art deco style polychromatic terra cotta survey
February 10, 2026
in Bldg. 51, Events & Announcements, Featured Posts, Miscellaneous, Salvages, Travel, Uncategorized
the following images and information – a work in progress – shed light on the northwestern terra cotta company’s richly colored and visually striking french art deco style “stock pattern” terra cotta ornament.
early 1980s image of the art deco style chicago bee building (1929), located at 3647-55 s. state st., chicago, ills. the richly polychromatic terra cotta building was designed by architect z. erol smith sr.
glazed terra cotta ornament (east facade) on meyer & cook’s laramie state bank building (1928), located at 5200 west chicago avenue, chicago, il.
the art deco style building is known for its distinctive polychromed glazed terra cotta executed by the northwestern terra cotta company, chicago, ills.
amateur silver gelatin print of meyer & cook’s laramie state bank building (1928) taken at night. the building is known for its distinctive polychromed glazed terra cotta executed by the northwestern terra cotta company.
the bldg. 51 archive recently acquired a sizable collection of silver gelatin prints chronicling chicago street scenes dating to the 1940’s.
photographic images of z. erol smith’s art deco style polychromed terra cotta building (ornament) built for real estate developer fred brecklenberg in 1934. smith is perhaps best known for designing bronzeville landmarks chicago bee building and overton hygienic building.
the facade is comprised of machine-made terra cotta ashlars accentuated with brilliantly colored floral motifs ornament.
located at the corner southwest corner of belmont and central, i believe the first tenant was andes candies.
undated dave felling kodachrome image of the art deco style triangle resatuarant (demolished in 1985-86), located at 57 w. randolph street, chicago, il.
the polychromed terra cotta was executed by the northwestern terra cotta company, chicago, il.
i’ve included a rare 1930s webster brothers linen-backed photographic image of the restaurant’s interior.
the print was made for the vitrolite company (fabricators of pigmented structural glass), located at 120 south lasalle street, chicago, il.
the promotional image was made to showcase installation of their glass wall panels and counter/table tops in a restaurant setting.
the equally impressive wall sconces and pendant light were likely fabricated by another company – possibly chicago-based r. williamson & company, or beardslee.
spray-glazed polychrome art deco style terra cotta panesl adorning single story chicago storefronts.
the richly colored terra cotta ornament was fabricated by northwestern terra cotta company, chicago, ills.
fine examples of art deco style polychrome terra cotta, with application of pulsichrome multi-colored sprayed-glaze finish. the exterior terra cotta panels features stylized leafage and flowers typical of the period.
fabricated by the northwestern terra cotta company, chicago, ills. i’ve read about and seen several period northwestern ads promoting the application of pulsichrome finishes (glazed or unglazed) for combining colors and texture to mimic various types of stone, etc
original art deco style green spray-glazed terra cotta panel salvaged from a south side chicago commercial building demolished around 1991.
the stock pattern panel was designed and fabricated by the northwestern terra cotta company, chicago, ills.
visually striking american art deco style polychrome glazed terra cotta building facade panels dating to the 1920’s. the south side chicago building was demolished in the 1990’s.
fabricated by northwestern terra cotta co., chicago, ills.
january 2026 photographic survey of west side chicago commercical building outfitted with amazingly intact northwestern terra cotta “stock pattern” polychromatic terra cotta ornament.
two examples of streamlined style glazed terra cotta fluted ashlar blocks salvaged from buildings built during the great depression.
additional northwestern terra cotta company heavy cardstock illustrated plates showcasing other art deco work designed by architectural firms and/or french sculptors employed with the company.
