When stone becomes lace

[JeffR]

Above the main doors, Old City Hall, Toronto

[Celebration]

1. Craftsmanship

Very rare, if not impossible, finding artists like this now. Do you know when this was carved? Awhile back, I posted some pictures in the ASAH group of an example of fine craftsmanship here in Memphis (just because it seemed more of a spiritual rather than photography subject).

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=245&topic_id=83269

Here is a pretty cool bench--

[JeffR]

4. Building was completed in 1899.

Thanks for the link to your photos. What an incredible place that is.

[Celebration]

8. just incredible

Even though Victorian, it almost has a craftsman feel to it. You know what I like about it--that sun looking design that you only have part of at the right. I love those mandala looking designs.

My dad worked in a hospital that had a parking garage actually within the building. The ground floor of the parking garage was entirely done in mosaic tile. The cars drove over them!! Even as a teenager I knew this was something special. The last time I went there, maybe a dozen years ago, they were still there.

We just used to have so many wonderful craft people. I wish I had a picture of that parking garage floor.

Save and restore!! Good for Toronto for undertaking this project.

[Maestro]

2. What amazing work!

Great lines, textures and the subtle pink tones.

[JeffR]

5. They've just completed a renovation that's taken several years.

The building used to be very dark, after nearly a century of air pollution dulled the stone. It's been a revelation to see the original colors.

[NV Whino]

3. Wow.

Truly amazing work. Is that metal flashing they've put over the stone to protect it?

[JeffR]

6. I think so.

Probably added during the recent renovations.

[Tindalos]

7. Those were some skilled stone masons

It's too bad that kind of detail isn't included in modern architecture. I'm hoping it comes back one day, when the fashions cycle round again.

[dbmk]

13. It is also a matter of cost to a large degree

Cheap, expendable and higly skilled labor is a thing of the past. The man hours that went into some of those buildings...

Thats the cost we pay for improvements for the working man and woman.

[Tindalos]

14. That's true

People used to spend several generations building cathedrals, for little benefit to themselves. Things have definitely improved for some. Unfortunately, the fast-and-cheap attitude that has also devalued workers and those improvements are constantly at risk of eroding away. It's nice when people appreciate skill/training/work instead of always looking for the cheapest price. At the moment, our society is maintained by "cheap, expendable and highly skilled labor" from other countries. Maybe things haven't changed so much after all.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

9. oh yeah......being stone carver myself.......

[JeffR]

11. I like that a lot.

Both the carving and the photo.

[Blue_In_AK]

10. That is so cool.

Beautiful carving.

[Adsos Letter]

12. Wow! Nice shot JeffR!

What amazing stonework; and really nice lighting, too.