This cast iron building plaque with would have been affixed to the side of a Haussmann building in Paris, circa 1890. A central lion mascaron is surrounded by a ring of molding and four cartouches, roughly aligning with the cardinal directions. The top and side elements are comprised of a floret surrounded by C-scrolls. A vine extends from both side flowers, trailing down to the large, fruited margent at the base of the plaque. There is another ring of molding that runs beneath the cartouches, followed by a ring of beading along the outer edge.

In his 17 years as the Prefect of Seine, Georges-Eugene Haussmann revitalized Paris by spearheading an urban renewal project, laying the foundation for how the city appears today. A noted hallmark of Haussmann architecture was the use of iron embellishments along the facades of limestone buildings, for example scrolled iron railings and our building plaque. Although this plaque was cast after Haussmann was removed from power in 1870, his projects remained an integral part of construction until the late 1920’s. The fascinating cast iron building plaque can still be used architecturally as an embellishment to a wall, either interior or outdoors.

CONDITION: Good antique condition with light buildup and minor oxidation (mainly along the edge), both commensurate to age and exposure to the elements during outdoor usage.