This building is three stories high and three bays wide. It is laid in common bond, and has a stone water table and details.
In the center of the façade’s first story, four steps flanked by stone blocks (1) lead to a double door with a one piece, round-arched transom overhead (2). This is contained within a beveled, stilted round arch which contains vertical anthemion bands (3) below the impost block and above, in the intrados of the arch. At the crown of the intrados is a cartouche flanked by palmettes (4). Between the transom and intrados is a band of rinceau moulding (5). Beneath, the extended portions of the impost blocks are puti heads (6). At the crown of the arch, above the cartouche, is a bracket which serves as a keystone (7). The extrados are filled with egg-and-dart moulding(8).
To either side of the entrance, the basement is pierced by two casement windows, each containing one light (9).
First story windows are arranged in two pairs. They are double hung with stone sills and moulded, flat-arched frames which contain terra cotta tiles with foliate motifs (10). The surface of the first story façade achieves a rusticated effect through deep incisions in the masonry which occur at intervals of two feet (11).
Between the first and second story windows is a stone belt course underscored by a strip of egg-and-dart moulding (12).
Second story windows are arranged in threes. These windows are all single hung with six lights, and have four-light transoms overhead (13). The window groups are contained within a large, moulded cornice supported by flat pilasters with composite capitals (14). The frieze of the cornice contains two rondelles flanked by ribbons (15). At either end of the frieze is an egg moulding (16). The junctions of the muntins and mullions contain cruciform mouldings with inscribed squares (17). In the outer window groups, a tablet bearing a wreath surround an open book appears beneath either outer window (18).
Third story windows are double hung 1/1, and have a common flat-arched lintel and sill (19). A flat, rusticated, fluted pilaster appears at either end of the window group (20), while in between bays, fluted, rusticated colonnettes resting on projecting, bracketed, cornice-like dados, support the lintel (21). Above the pilaster and colonnettes are rondelles (22).
The braced roof cornice is coffered between the braces (23).
From the Maryland Historic Trust's Building Survey, 1975
Not to mention the quoinwork in the brick on either side of the second story--quite a prominent feature. Also, the lower middle windows on the second floor are longer, and contain ten lights instead of six. This combines with the first floor arch to create a strong vertical central emphasis, and breaks up the effect of floating horizontal bands if the second story windows were all sandwiched within the same height.
ReplyDeleteIt is a tribute to the architects that they were able to combine so many elements to create a unified effect of richness, weight and dignity.
--Jim