Antique views of ye towne of Boston (1882) (14767855064)

Identifier: antiqueviewsofye00star_0 (find matches)
Title: Antique views of ye towne of Boston
Year: 1882 (1880s)
Authors: Stark, James Henry
Subjects: Dwellings Historic buildings
Publisher: Boston : Published by ye Photo-electrotype engraving co. ...
Contributing Library: Boston Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston Public Library



Text Appearing Before Image:
annelled walls, their deep window-seats, theirchimney-pieces Hanked by arched and pilastercd alcoves—all werein ju-t proportion and with the classic details handed down fromthe days of good Queen Anne or Dutch William. So far. thehouse, within ami without, was only a tine specimen of the man-sions of wealthy citizens of the provincial period in and aroundBoston. The feature which distinguished it from its neighborswas the rich, elaborate and peculiar decoration of the north parloron the light of the entrance hall. Opposite the door was theample fire-place with it- classic mantelpiece, a basket of flowersanil scroll-work in relief upon its frieze. On the right, of,thechimney piece was an arched alcove, lighted by a narrow window:on the left an arched buffet with a vaulted ceiling. The othertlnc r w:ill- were divided into compartments by tinted pilasters ofthe Corinthian order, which supported the entablatures with itsdentilled cornice. The flirtings and capitals of the pilasters, the
Text Appearing After Image:
ANTIQUE VIEWS OF BOSTON. 61 dentils of the cornice, the vault and shelves of the buffet, wereall heavily gilded. .So far, as before mentioned, it was only arich example of the prevalent style. The peculiar decoration consisted of a series of raised panelstilling these compartments, reaching from the surbase to the frieze,eleven in all, each embellished with a romantic landscape paintedin oil colors, the four panels opposite the windows being furtherenriched by the emblazoned escutcheons of the Clarks, the Sal-tonstalls, and other allied families. Beneath the surbase, thepanels, as also those of the door, were covered with arabesques.The twelfth painting was a view of the house upon a horizontalpanel over the mantel, from which this engraving was made bythe Photo-Electrotype process, and beneath this panel, inscribedin an oval, was the monogram of the builder, W. C. At the baseof the gilded and fluted vault of the buffet was a painted dove.The floor was inlaid with divers woods in mult