Mercury in Gold
Winged Mercury (1934)
By Lee Lawrie (1877-1963)
The Roman god Mercury has been used to symbolize Britain’s worldwide strength in the 1930s, and here the gilded figure is depicted on a mission, rapidly flying over blue-green waves. His helmet signifies power and protection, while the small wings on his heels symbolize swiftness. This panel stands for the wealth and vitality of the British merchant fleets that built the empire and sailed the seas. The intaglio relief, meaning carved or engraved into the stone without any areas being higher than the surrounding stone, is a classic Art Deco architectural embellishment.
Above Channel Gardens Entrance of 620 Fifth Avenue
[Rockefeller Center website]
The Rockefeller Center was sponsored by, and named after, John D Rockefeller Jr. (1874-1960). The development consists of 14 Art Deco buildings, designed by Raymond Mathewson Hood (1881-1934) and constructed between 1930-39, plus 4 International-Style buildings built in the 1960-70s.
The only project employed 40,000 people, and cost an estimated $250m at the time (this included the acquiring the land and demolishing some existing buildings).
Mercury in Gold
Winged Mercury (1934)
By Lee Lawrie (1877-1963)
The Roman god Mercury has been used to symbolize Britain’s worldwide strength in the 1930s, and here the gilded figure is depicted on a mission, rapidly flying over blue-green waves. His helmet signifies power and protection, while the small wings on his heels symbolize swiftness. This panel stands for the wealth and vitality of the British merchant fleets that built the empire and sailed the seas. The intaglio relief, meaning carved or engraved into the stone without any areas being higher than the surrounding stone, is a classic Art Deco architectural embellishment.
Above Channel Gardens Entrance of 620 Fifth Avenue
[Rockefeller Center website]
The Rockefeller Center was sponsored by, and named after, John D Rockefeller Jr. (1874-1960). The development consists of 14 Art Deco buildings, designed by Raymond Mathewson Hood (1881-1934) and constructed between 1930-39, plus 4 International-Style buildings built in the 1960-70s.
The only project employed 40,000 people, and cost an estimated $250m at the time (this included the acquiring the land and demolishing some existing buildings).