Character-Defining Materials ~ Cast terra cotta was often used to ornament brick buildings in the Queen Anne and other styles of the late 19th and early 20th century. This window surround is set high in the gable of a Queen Anne house in Lewiston, Maine, and remains in good condition.
The materials is a fired mixture of clay and water that can be used in a non-structural, semi-structural, or structural capacity on the exterior or interior of a building. It is an ancient building material that translates from Latin as “baked earth”. It can be unglazed, painted, slip glazed, or glazed.
Terracotta was used by the ancient Greeks, Babylonians, Egyptians, Romans, Chinese, Indians and Native American cultures. Its uses included roof tiles, medallions, statues, capitals and other architectural details.
Knowledge is key for dealing with materials that are not commonly used today – What is it? How was it made? How should it be maintained? Can it be repaired? What are replacement options?
These questions are answered about terra cotta and many other exterior materials in Chapter 12 of “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners.”
Signed and personalized copies of the award-winning and bestselling 720-page hardcover book are available directly from the author in our online shop at YourHistoricHouse.com/shop/.
Select restoration and preservation titles by other authors are also available in our shop.
“Restoring Your Historic House” is also available in bookstores nationwide and from online retailers.
© Scott T. Hanson 2025.
#antiquehome #antiquehomes #traditionalarchitecture #historicalhomes #historicalhouse #historic #oldhousecharm #oldhome #oldhouse #preservation #preserveourhistory #houseandgarden #historicpreservation #aplacetocallhome #homerestoration #houserestoration #ownapieceofhistory #vintagehome #architecturelover #restoringyourhistorichouse #yourhistorichome #restoration #houserehab #queenanne #terracotta #victorianhouse #victorianornament #putti