tarboat's photos with the keyword: decoration

One of two stone beasts guarding the frontage of S Hugh's Chambers on Corporation Street in Lincoln. The building dates from 1899 and the limestone has suffered somewhat from the weather and bird droppings. I do love this sort of architectural detail which is sadly lacking on most modern buildings.

Stone decoration above the door on S. Hugh's Chambers on Corporation Street in Lincoln. The netting seems to be losing the battle with the pigeons judging by the mess on the walls.

Decorative work on the front of S. Hugh's Chambers, Corporation St, Lincoln. The building dates from 1899

Mosaic in the doorway to a former shop of the Buttercup Dairy Company Ltd at Innerleithen. At its peak the company had over 400 shops across Scotland.

Mosaic in the doorway to a former shop of the Buttercup Dairy Company Ltd which at its peak had over 400 shops across Scotland.

Tiled entry to a former shop of the Buttercup Dairy Company Ltd which at its peak had over 400 shops across Scotland. The corporate style was designed by James Davidson Cairns, an Edinburgh based architect. The image depicted on the tiles was taken from a painting which hung in the Leith headquarters of the firm. The original painting was by Edinburgh artist Tom Curr. The tiles were supplied by James Duncan Ltd who appear to have specified the designs which were then manufactured either by T. & R. Boote of Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent or Maw & Co of Jackfield, Shropshire. The Duncan company objectives included not only tile laying but also other building activities including plastering, slating, marble cutting and wood block flooring, together with fireplaces and kitchen ranges. Both the upper name panel and the pictorial panel are signed, with ‘J D Ltd’ below the picture and ‘J Duncan Ltd Glasgow’ in the upper panel.

The keystone over the entrance to the Boar's Head in Middlewich leaves no doubt as to the name of the establishment. This level of decorative architecture has generally died out on modern buildings and is a great loss.

These colourful tiles grace the porch of a house on New Hampton Rd E, Wolverhampton.

Another fine terracotta creature, this time seen below a first floor window at the former County Court Building, Church Lane, Oldham. The cream terracotta decoration on this Grade II listed building was specified by the architect (Sir) Henry Tanner who was Principal Architect for H M Office of Works when it was completed in 1894.

Sanders Buildings (1894) at the Haywood St - Derby St junction in Leek is by the Leek firm of architects W. Sugden and Son. This tower with its decorative vase feature is a real eyecatcher.

A detail from below the first floor windows at the Greaves Arms, Yorkshire Street, Oldham. This is a pieced designed to fit in the outer angles of a bay window. Probably a product of Accrington or Rochdale.

This evening I was in Buckley looking at industrial things when I espied two of these fine beasts sitting high up on a shop premises that looked as if it might well have been a Co-operative stores at one time. I have no idea what this mythical beast is meant to represent, but it is certainly top quality terracotta work.

Whilst mooching around Hanley I spotted that some of the houses in Wellesley Street had wonderful tiles in the open porchway at the front door. This is from one of the best preserved and most accessible panels. To the left is the complete panel and to the right is a closer view of the centrepiece which was different in each one. Wonderful decoration which I would love to have at my own home. As I was taking these shots the householder appeared on his way home, but luckily he was completely unworried by my presence and just told me to carry on.

Centre panel on the front of the Boars Head at Higher Poynton which feature its namesake.

Stone and terracotta mix well on the side of the Boars Head at Higher Poynton.

I am often astonished at the detail work that is placed in hardly visible places on old buildings. These two fine terracotta panels are to be found high up on the former Oxford Street Picture House in Manchester. They date from 1911.