The Decorative Nature of Terra-cotta

The origin of terra-cotta in Victorian architecture

Terra-cotta did not become fashionable in England until the 1860s and for America its usage began a decade later. Initially it was imported from England, however in a very short time American manufacturers were supplying this versatile building material.

Glazed architectural terra-cotta is one of the more prevalent masonry building materials incorporated on American buildings during the late 1800s through the 1930s. This building material was structurally sound as well as highly decorative, further enhancing the rich ornamental detail to buildings.  

What is terra-cotta?

Terra-cotta refers to a high grade of weathered or aged clay which, when mixed with sand or pulverized clay, can be molded and fired at high temperatures to a hardness and compactness not obtainable with brick. This building adornment provided a beautiful balance between art and building technology.

Terra-cotta is still manufactured in hollow cast blocks. They open to the back, forming boxes, with internal compartment-like stiffeners known as webbing. The webbing substantially strengthened the load-bearing capacity of the hollow terra-cotta block without greatly increasing its weight.

Terra-cotta blocks were often finished with a glaze: that is, a slip glaze (clay wash) or an aqueous solution of metal salts was brushed or sprayed on the air-dried block before firing. Glazing altered the color, and produced a relatively impervious surface on the weather face of the final product. The glaze on the terra-cotta unit possessed excellent weathering properties when properly maintained. In addition to having a rich color, the hard surface is not easily chipped. The glazed finishing offered fade-resistant colors.

Types of terra-cotta

Historically there are four types or categories of terra-cotta: brownstone, fireproof construction, ceramic veneer, and glazed architectural.

Brownstone terra-cotta was utilized on American buildings during the mid- to late 19th century. The brownstone type is a dark red or brown block either glazed (usually a slip glaze) or unglazed. It was hollow cast and was generally used in conjunction with other masonry in imitation of sandstone, brick or real brownstone. It is often found in the architecture of Richard Upjohn, James Renwick, H. H. Richardson and is associated with the Gothic and Romanesque Revival movements through such ornamental detailing as moldings, finials and capitals.

Late 19th and early 20th century advertising promoted the durable, impervious and adaptable nature or glazed architectural terra-cotta. Glazed architectural terra-cotta could accommodate subtle nuances or modeling, texture and color. Compared to stone, it was easier to handle, quickly set and more affordable to use. Fireproof and waterproof, it was readily adaptable to structures of almost any height.

The cost of molding the clay, glazing and firing the blocks—when compared to carving stone—represented a considerable savings, especially when casts were used in a modular fashion (repeated over and over again). Maintenance of the fired and glazed surface was easy; it never needed to be painted and periodic washings restored its original appearance.

Worth a second look

The next time you visit the Joplin Historical Neighborhoods Museum, take a moment before you step inside. Look at the exterior of the Schifferdecker home and see what you can find. The hops motif is there — a quiet signature from a man who built a fortune, planted roots in Joplin, and left his story written in clay on the walls of his home.

That’s the beauty of Victorian architecture. The more closely you look, the more it has to say.