Existing comment:
Department of Commerce Building:
Constructed: 1927-1932
Architects: York and Sawyer of New York City
James Earle Fraser was selected by the architect Louis Ayres to design four sculptural pediments. The modeling of the intermediate- and final-scale models for the pediments was subcontracted by Fraser to Joseph Kiselewski, Haig Patigian, Ulysses A. Ricci and Frederick G.R. Roth. The models of 250 decorative ornaments on the exterior and interior were produced for $54,150 (in 1986 dollars, $354,466) by the Ricci and Zari firm of New York City.
The Edward Ardolino, John Donnelly, and Gino A. Ratti firms carved the exterior limestone decorative sculpture.
The models for the four pediments were executed between 1930-31; the carving was delayed until 1934. The total cost was approximately $115,200 (in 1986 dollars, $837,888). |