Civil War Monuments: Kensington in Berlin, CT

Soldiers Monument

Kensington in Berlin, CT

GPS: N41° 37.371; W072° 46.976

Short Description: 

The Soldiers Monument, located at 312 Percival Avenue in the Kensington section of Berlin, CT, is the first Civil War monument to be erected in the United States.

Long Description:

The Kensington Soldiers Monument is a 20' obelisk fabricated from brownstone from the Portland, CT quarries. The monument was designed by Nelson Augustus Moore, funded by popular subscription, and dedicated on July 28, 1863. It is owned by the Kensington Congregational Church and is the first Civil War monument to be erected in the United States.

The monument was conceived by Reverend Charles B. Hilliard, minister of the adjacent Kensington Congregational Church in 1863. The obelisk is inscribed with the dedication on the front (northeast) face and the names and place and date of death of soldiers on the other three sides. A bronze medal of honor plaque rests at the foot of the monument. A 31' high ornate cast iron fence surrounds the obelisk. A Civil War cannon flanked by pyramids of cemented cannon balls was placed outside the monument in 1913.

On the front face of base, raised capital letters is the inscription:

SOLDIERS

On the face of the shaft is the dedication:

ERECTED TO COMMEMORATE THE DEATH

OF THOSE WHO PERISHED IN SUPPRESSING

THE SOUTHERN REBELLION.

"HOW SLEEP THE BRAVE WHO SINK TO REST

BY ALL THEIR COUNTRY'S WISHES BLEST."

1863.

and higher up the shaft is the raised seal of the State of Connecticut.

On the southeast face, the shaft is inscribed:

GEORGE W. HORTON

N.O. LA. OCT. 6, 1862.

HENRY F. ALLEN

POCOTALIGO, OCT. 22, 1862.

BIRDSEY J. BECKLEY

FREDERICKSBURG, DEC. 13, 1862

and the base is inscribed:

CAPT. FRANK A. COLE

WASHINGTON D.C. OCT. 4, 1864.

AGED 22.

On the southwest face, the shaft is inscribed:

DANFORD J. DAVIS

MORTON'S FORD, JAN. 1, 1864

CHARLES H. STANLEY

COLD HARBOR, JUNE 1, 1864

JAMES W. BELDEN

CHARLESTON S.C. OCT. 1, 1864

ROSWELL ROOT

NEW HAVEN, MAY 5, 1865

WM. W. WARNER

CHARLESTON S.C. NOV. 5, 1864

and the base is inscribed:

JOHN E. WARNER

ANNAPOLIS MD. DEC. 23, 1864

RICHARD RINGWOOD

ANDERSONVILLE GA.

NELSON M. RITCHIE

CO. G. 16. C. V.

On the northwest face, the shaft is inscribed:

JAMES L. BAILEY

CEDAR MOUNTAIN, AUG. 3, 1862

LEVERETT H. GLADDING

N.O. LA. AUG. 12, 1862

JOHN L. KENT

ANTIETAM, SEPT. 17, 1862

and the base is inscribed:

JAMES RINGWOOD

The medal of honor plaque at the base is for Elijah W. Bacon who was killed in the Battle of the Wilderness and buried in Maple Cemetery in Berlin, CT. The plaque is inscribed:

ELIJAH W. BACON

MEDAL OF HONOR

CORP. COF. 14 CONN INF

CIVIL WAR

MAY 6, 1864

A bronze plaque attached to the cast iron fence is inscribed:

In 1861 as the Civil War escalated, a decision was made to provide

a monument to honor soldiers from the Kensington area. The

effort was led by The Reverend Elias Hillard, Nelson A. Moore,

Selectman George Cowles and church members. It was designed

by Mr. Moore and dedicated on July 28, 1863. This monument

was the first in the Nation to honor Civil War soldiers. There were

15 local area men who served including Elijah H. Bacon who was

awarded the Medal of Honor.

This plaque was donated by the Town of Berlin under the auspices of

the Berlin Veterans Commission

A nearby bronze plaque is inscribed:

THIS PLAQUE PRESENTED TO

THE TOWN OF BERLIN

IN COMMEMORATION OF THE

100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE

CIVIL WAR

1861-1865

BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF BERLIN

MAY 30, 1961

50 Rockefeller Plaza Art, NY, NY

50 Rockefeller Plaza

GPS: N40° 45.560; W073° 58.670

Short Description:

The relief sculpture News is displayed over the entrance to 50 Rockefeller Plaza, formerly known as the Associated Press Building.

Long Description:

News 

by

Isamu Noguchi

1940

This 22' by 17' cast stainless steel Art Deco sculpture contains five male figures engaged in activities associated with news reporting: A man talking on a telephone, a reporter taking noted on a notepad, a reporter typing, a  photographer with a camera, and the man listening to the news.

1 Rockefeller Plaza Art, NY, NY

1 Rockefeller Plaza

GPS: N40° 45.500; W073° 58.726

Short Description:

Four bas-relief sculptures adorn the walls of 1 Rockefeller Plaza.

Long Description:

Progress

by

Lee Oscar Lawrie

1937

The polychrome limestone Art Deco bas-relief sculpture,  Progress, is located above the north, 49th Street,   façade  of 1 Rockefeller Center. The central figure, Columbia, is carrying an olive branch of peace and a bowl of flames symbolizing power. She stands behind an eagle which is landing and before the mythological winged horse, Pegasus, which is taking off.

Industry

by

Carl Paul Jennewein

1937

The intaglio and gilded 8' high Art Deco sculpture, Industry, is located to the left of the, west,  main entrance to 1 Rockefeller Plaza. A bare-chested worker is leaning on a large sledge hammer.

Agriculture

by

Carl Paul Jennewein

1937

The intaglio and gilded 8' high Art Deco sculpture, Industry, is located to the right of the, west, main entrance to 1 Rockefeller Plaza. A bare-chested worker is holding a sickle. To his right are four stalks of wheat.

Joy of Life

by

Attilio Piccrilli

1937

Joy of Life is located above the south, 48th Street, entrance to 1 Rockefeller Plaza. This polychrome and gilded limestone Art Deco bas-relief sculpture depicts Bacchus, the god of wine and wine making, sitting on the ground holding a bunch of grapes above his head.  He is surround by six male and female figures. Two on the right are holding vessels. All have golden hair. All are awaiting Bacchus' instructions.

Man and Nature

by

Carl Milles

These three large wooden sculptures are located on the west wall of the lobby of 1 Rockefeller Plaza. The upper piece has a nymph resting amid the foliage. The middle piece of the triptych depicts a woodsman on a horse. A small mechanical bird above the figure chirps on the hour. The lower piece shows a faun pushing away vegetation.

International Building Art - Rockefeller Center, NY, NY

International Building

GPS: N40° 45.519; W073° 58.690

Short Description:

The International Building at  630 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan has eight works of art on the walls of the north, south and west  façades. 

Long Description:

Columbia Greeting A Woman

by

Lee Oscar Lawrie

1937

This bas-relief limestone allegorical sculpture is located at the 19 West 50th Street entrance to the International Building. Columbia on the left represents America. She is shaking hands welcoming a woman immigrant to the new World. In the background are waves, represent the ocean, and the skyscrapers of New York.

Boatman Unfurling a Sail

by

Lee Oscar Lawrie

1937

This bas-relief limestone allegorical sculpture is located at the 19 West 50th Street entrance to the International Building. The boatman is working on the ship's sails with the ship representing freedom.  In the background are waves, represent the ocean, and the skyscrapers of New York.  

Swords Into Plowshares

by

Lee Oscar Lawrie

1937

This gilded plowshare with transforming crossed swords illustrate the biblical verse from Isaiah II, IV ... "and they shall beat their swords into plowshares". It is located at the 19 West 50th Street entrance to the International Building.

Cornucopia of Plenty

by

Lee Oscar Lawrie

1937

The polychrome limestone Art Deco bas-relief sculpture Cornucopia of Plenty is located at the 10 West 51th Entrance to the International Building. The artist is quoted as saying the sculpture represents "the plenitude that results from well organized international trade".

Fourteen Heraldic Shields

by

Lee Oscar Lawrie

1937

The polychrome limestone and gilded  Fourteen Heraldic Shields are located at the 20 West 51th Entrance to the International Building.

St. Francis of Assisi with Birds

by

Lee Oscar Lawrie

1937

The intaglio Art Deco carving of St. Francis of Assisi with Birds is located at the 9 West 50th Street entrance to the International Building.  St. Francis of Assisi is highly regarded for choosing to lead a simple life and for his love of all creatures.

To Commemorate 

the Workmen of the Center

by

Gaston Lachaise

1935

This pair of bas-relief limestone Art Deco sculptures are located above the 45 Rockefeller Plaza entrance to the International Building.  Each sculpture is 7' high and 12' wide. They show construction involved in their work and pay tribute all the workers who made the construction of Rockefeller Center possible.

International Building Art (east) - Rockefeller Center, NY, NY

International Building 

GPS: N40° 45.542; W073° 58.616

Short Description:

The International Building east façade at 630 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. 

Long Description:

Youth Leading Industry
by 
Attilio Piccrilli
1936

This 16' by 10' bas-relief allegorical sculpture is made of 45 cast Pyrex glass blocks. It depicts a young man on a chariot driven by a pair of horses with a draped figure running alongside who represents destiny. The horses and chariot represents empowerment,  industry, and transportation and the charioteer is guiding mankind into the future. 

 Commerce and Industry
with Caduceus
by 
Attilio Piccrilli
1936

The bas-relief depicts two heroic nude figures that symbolizes the activities of Industry and Commerce. On the left is the male who represents Commerce. He is kneeling to his left while looking straight ahead. His right hand rests on top of a handle of a sledgehammer. A drape is wrapped around each arm. Opposite him is a female figure representing Industry. She is kneeling to her right. Her right hand is holding a drape near her right shoulder. The drape extends down to cover her thighs. Her left hand is resting on a cog wheel. Between the figures is a caduceus, which is the symbol of the Mercury, the god of trade. The symmetrical maroon wings of the caduceus wrap around each figure. Gilded leaves top the sculpture.

Four Continents

by

Leo Lentilli

1935

Four sculptures at the roofline of the International Building represent the four continents: Asia - Buddha Figure (upper left),  Europe - Neptune with Dolphins (upper Right), Africa -African in native Dress (lower left),  The Americas - Buffalo Head and Mayan Designs (lower right)

Palazzo d'Italia Art - Rockefeller Center, NY, NY

Palazzo d'Italia

GPS: N40° 45.525; W073° 58.630

Short Description:

The Palazzo d'Italia is located at 626 Fifth Avenue between West 49th and West 50th Streets.

Long Description:

The Immigrant
by 
Giacomo Manzu
1965

The Immigrant was moved from the Fifth Avenue side of the Palazzo d'Italia to it's present location on the southwest side. The 6.5'  by 3' bronze bas-relief sculpture depicts a mother, resting on her journey, and holding her child. Her possessions are in a bundle hanging in the upper right.

Italia
by 
Giacomo Manzu
1965

This is a version of the original panel with fascist symbolism omitted. This high-relief sculpture has ITALIA in bold font above an arrangement of grapevines and wheat stalks. 

Four Periods in Italian History
by
Leo Lentelli
1935

This original work is located on the roofline of the Palazzo d'Italia. The sculptures represent the Roman Era (upper left), Renaissance (upper right), Unification of Italy (lower right), the then current Fascist Regime (lower left).

British Empire Building Art (sides) - Rockefeller Center, NY, NY

British Empire Building

Short Description: 

There are two side entrances to the British Empire Building , from the Channel Gardens and 50th Street. Each has an intaglio relief sculpture carved above the door.

Long Description: 

Winged Mercury

by

Lee Oscar Lawrie

GPS: N40° 45.508; W073° 58.668

The Channel Gardens entrance to the British Empire building features an Art Deco styled version of Winged Mercury shown running with a above teal colored waves. Above his head is a stylized sun, which is said to "never sets on the British Empire".  

Arms of England

by

Lee Oscar Lawrie

GPS: N40° 45.523; W073° 58.666

The 50th entrance to the British Empire building features three walking lions looking out towards the viewer from the building.  Below is a row of red Tudor roses. 

British Empire Building Art (east) - Rockefeller Center, NY, NY

British Empire Building

GPS: N40° 45.503; W073° 58.640

Short Description: 

Three works of art adorn the east façade of the British Empire Building at  620 Fifth Avenue in Rockefeller Center.

Long Description: 

Industries of the British Empire

by

Carl Paul Jennewein

Above the entrance to the British Empire Building is this bronze panel, installed in 1933,  that has nine gilded figures each representing an industry important to the British Empire. The figures are organized into a 3 x 3 grid. 

SALT - WHEAT -WOOL

COAL - FISH - COTTON

TOBACCO - MARITIME - SUGAR  

British Coat of Arms

by

Carl Paul Jennewein

Above the gilded panel depicting British Empire industries is a polychrome and gilded limestone carving of the British coat of arms. The sculpture was designed by Carl Paul Jennewein and carved at the Piccirilli Studio. 

Motifs from the Coat of Arms 

from the British Isles

by 

Rene Paul Chambellan

Four sculptures by Rene Paul Chambellan are located at the roof line of British Empire Building. They  represent the four countries that comprise the British Isles. Wales is the Dragon (upper left), Scotland is the Unicorn (upper right),  England is the Lion (lower left), and Northern Ireland is the Stan and Harp (lower right).

La Maison Française Art (sides) - Rockefeller Center, NY, NY

La Maison Française
(French Building)

Short Description: 

There are two side entrances to La Française Maison, from the Channel Gardens and 49th Street. Each has an intaglio relief sculpture carved above the door. A sterling silver model of a biplane is located in the Channel Gardens entrance lobby.

Long Description: 

Seeds of Good Citizenship

by

Lee Oscar Lawrie

GPS: N40° 45.523; W073° 58.664

Lee Oscar Lawrie recreates the classic image of The Sower (La Semeuse) above the Channel Gardens entrance to  La Française Maison. The intaglio sculpture is gilded and she stands on a curved gilded, green and brown base. 

Fleur-De-Lis

by
Lee Oscar Lawrie

GPS: N40° 45.485; W073° 58.683

Three fleur-de-lis designs decorate a 49th Street entrance to the  La Française Maison. Each intaglio design is above a gilded crenellated base. 

Le Point d'Interrogation

(The Question Mark)

by 
Cartier & Company

At the Channel Gardens entrance of La Maison Française is this sterling silver model of the biplane flown by Costes and Bellonte from LeBourget, France to Curtiss Field, New York in 1930, reversing the route that Lindbergh flew in 1927.  It was a gift of the Republic of France to Rockefeller Center.

La Maison Française Art (east) - Rockefeller Center, NY, NY

La Maison Française
(French Building)

GPS: N40° 45.483; W073° 58.654

Short Description: 

Three works of art adorn the east façade of La Maison Française (French Building) at  610 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

Long Description: 

Friendship Between 
America and France
by 
Alfred Janniot

The gilded allegorical panel by Alfred Janniot located above the door of La Maison Française celebrates the friendship between America and France. The female figures at the top represent Paris and New York City.  They are sitting on ships that represent trade between the two countries.  The Paris figure holds a model of the Cathedral of Notre Dame. The skyscrapers of New York City are shown behind the other figure. Below are three female figures that represent Poetry, Beauty and Elegance. 

Gallic Freedom
by 
Alfred Janniot

A heroic size polychrome limestone female figure, designed by Alfred Janniot and carved by the Piccirilli Brothers, represents French freedom. She is carrying a torch over her head in her left hand while her right arm is held downwards near a small oak tree. The figure is wearing the red cap assoicated with the french Revolution. Below is the slogan of the Revolution: Liberte - Egalite - Fraternite

Pageant of French History

by

Rene Paul Chambellan

Four sculptures by Rene Paul Chambellan are located at the roof line of La Maison Française. They  represent the four phases of French history: The Roman Era (upper right), the unification of France (lower left),  French Monarchy (upper left), and the French Republic (lower right).

Art Deco Bas-Relief Sculptures: Radio & Television - Rockefeller Center, NY, NY

Radio

&

Television

by
 Leo Friedlander

Short Description:

Radio is located above the 50th Street Entrance to 30 Rockefeller Plaza and Television is located on the 49th Street entrance to 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

Long Description:

Radio and Television comprise a set of four companion heroic size bas-relief allegorical sculptures created by Leo Friedlander  and installed in 1934 above the marquees of the opposite entrances to the General Electric building in Rockefeller Center.  Each limestone sculpture is 15' high and 10' wide.  Each consists of two separated but related panels.

Radio

GPS: N40° 45.567 W73° 58.767



Television

GPS: N40° 45.537; W73° 58.793

Radio
Transmission - Reception

The left panel of Radio represents transmission sound and the right panel represents reception of sound.  The left panel of Radio  has three smaller nude figures standing a an elevated platform. They singing to a   larger larger nude figure, who represents the transmission of radio signals.  On the right side of Radio   is a large female figure and two small male figures, representing Mother Earth and her people receiving radio signals.

Television
Transmission - Reception

The left panel of Television represents transmission images and the right panel represents reception of images.  The left side panel depicts a large female figure representing Transmission raising her arms before a group of smaller nude female figures who are dancing. The right panel, representing Reception, shows nude female figure holding tiny dancing figure in her hand in front of a seated female figure with her child on her lap.

Epic Beings: Six Fountainhead Figures - Rockefeller Center, NY, NY

Six Fountainhead Figures
by Rene Paul Chambellan

GPS: N40° 45.507; W73° 58.697

Short Description: 

The six Fountainhead Figures occupy the fountain located between the British building and the French building in an area known as the Channel Gardens.


Long Description: 

Rene Paul Chambellan created these six 33" by 26" by 47" sculptures that were cast at the Roman Bronze Works and  installed in 1935. Three female figures are Nereids and three male figures are Tritons. In Greek mythology, the Nereids are female sea nymphs. They are the fifty daughters of  Nereus and his wife Doris. Tritons were a race of sea gods from Triton the son of  Poseidon and Amphitrite.

Each figure is depicted riding on the back of a sea creature and represents an attribute that has enabled mankind's progress: Leadership, Will, Thought, Imagination, Energy, and Alertness.  From up hill to downhill they are:

Leadership is a Triton blowing on a conch shell with both hands.

Will  is a Nereid with her right hand holding the left side of a sea creature and her left arm drawn back.

Thought is a Nereid who is scratching her head with her left hand.

Imagination is a Nereid with her left hand to the side of her head and her right arm bent at a inward angle towards her torso.

Energy is a Triton who is leaning forward with her right arm outstretched.

Alertness is a Triton who is turning to his right with both arms outstretched.

Art Deco: Mankind Figures (Maiden and Youth) - Rockefeller Center, NY, NY

Mankind Figures 

(Maiden and Youth)
by Paul Manship

Maiden

Youth

GPS: N40° 45.514; W73° 58.694

Short Description: 

Mankind Figures (Maiden and Youth) are located between the Channel Gardens and the Sunken Plaza in Rockefeller Center in Manhattan. 

Long Description:

Mankind Figures (Maiden and Youth) were created by Paul Manship and cast by the Roman Bronze Works as companion sculptures to his masterwork Prometheus. Each 8' high bronze sculpture was originally gilded and installed, in 1934, in the Sunken Plaza flanking the gilded sculpture Prometheus who, in Greek mythology, is credited with creating the first man and woman from clay. The Maiden and Youth, thus, represent the first humans.  The heroic-size figures are partial nude and are standing next to oversized representations of vegetation that evoke the foliage of the Garden of Eden.

Art Deco Bas-Relief: Morning, Present, Evening - Rockefeller Center, NY, NY

 Morning, Present, Evening

 by Robert Garrison

GPS: N40° 45.616; W73° 58.804

Short Description:

Morning, Present, Evening are three allegorical Art Deco bas-relief sculptures located north of the entrance to the Radio City Music Hall at 1270 6th Avenue in Manhattan.

Long Description:

Morning, Present, Evening is a set of three 21' long Art Deco sculptures carved in limestone by Robert Garrison and installed in 1932 at 1270 6th Avenue in Manhattan. The sculptures represent the widespread presence, importance and power of radio. 

Morning - Panel on the right depicts a young man riding on the back of an eagle with his arms outstretched welcoming the rising sun. 

Present - The central panel a woman wearing a  robe and holding a torch in her right hand and an electrical bolt  in her left hand. She is soaring with the mythological winged horse, Pegasus. 

Evening - The left panel has a female figure riding on a swan. Her left arm is bent upright and her right arm is straight back.