The best way to learn about historic houses is to look at them closely, and the most fun way to look at them closely is to do a puzzle showing a wonderful historic house! So, we made a unique and interesting collection of Historic House Puzzles for you to enjoy!
This gorgeous terra cotta panel was designed by architect John Calvin Stevens for the William E. Goold House in Portland, Maine, and fabricated for the house by the Boston Terra Cotta Company in 1884-85. The architect drew the design on paper, and it was then sculpted in modeling clay at the pottery. Once completed, a plaster mold was cast of the model, which would be filled with terra cotta clay. After setting, the piece was removed from the mold to air dry before being fired in a kiln.
Terra cotta was often used to ornament brick buildings in the Queen Anne and other styles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This exuberant foliate panel is a charming detail that adds a touch of lightness and animation to an otherwise imposing house.
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? “Restoring Your Historic House, The Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners” answers these questions for a wide range of historic materials, including terra cotta.
Click on the dashed box at the top-right in the puzzle box below to open the puzzle to full screen. In the top left, you can change the number of pieces (100 pieces is the default), toggle piece rotation, and change the background color. Then hit “OK” and have fun!