A narrow, semi-circular frieze consisting of thirteen small reptile relief panels located just above the carved columns of the Reptile House Entrance. The entrance to the Reptile House features elaborately carved capitals and columns resting on turtles and surmounted by gargoyle-like frogs. Above each frog is a giant lizard. Beyond the columns, in the inner section of the portico, there are three mosaic-tiled arches. Beyond the arches, there are two wooden doors carved with reptile relief panels. The doors are adorned with brass door handles formed by entwined snakes. Just above the doors, there is a semi-circular mosaic of a dinosaur.
Albert Harris and Edwin Clark were the architects of the Reptile House. Like many of the National Zoological Park's sculptures acquired under the Public Works of Art Project, these portal reliefs were created by Federal Works Administration Program artist John Joseph Earley.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Reptile House--National Zoo--1931
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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2 comments:
Great Zoo buildings. In St. Louis, architect John Wallace added his sculptures to the Reptile, Bird, and Primate Houses. Last time I visited the Bronx Zoo you could still see some of the older buildings, now used as barns, that have great art work on their exteriors.
Speaking of older things that still look good, Happy Birthday.
Jimmy,
As I stated earlier, folks lucky enough to live near an older zoo, like the Bronx, St. Louis, Washington, in the States, or Berlin, Budapest, Anthwerp etc. in Europe, if they would only look up, they would see an animal world rivaling the living one on the ground.
Thank you for the wishes. I hope Steve Robinson see it. He seems to have me mistaken for somebody else. LOL
Jimmy I need your email address. Drop me a line at wburck3@aol.com
Wade
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