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word of the week: CALF'S-TONGUE

2010 September 20
by Caroline Nye Stevens

CALF’S-T:ONGUE: a molding featuring repeated tongue-shaped elements in relief against a flat or curved surface.

Below are two pictures of the calf’s-tongue terra-cotta ornament on the Swedish American State Bank Building – one up close and another shown in perspective of the building’s surrounding ornament. Both show that this building’s terra-cotta is in need of restoration!

Have you seen other examples of this ornament with a funny name elsewhere in Chicago? If so, write a comment about it below!

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