Gruner, Ludwig [Hrsg.]; Lose, Friedrich [Hrsg.]; Ottolini, Vittore [Hrsg.]: The terra-cotta architecture of North Italy: (XIIth - XVth centuries) ; pourtrayed as examples for imitation in other countries (London, 1867)

Introduction. g

fixed to the bricks that jutted beyond the wall-level ; sometimes also in order to
lighten them, or to promote the uniform burning of large pieces, such as large
heads and statues. The utmost care to strengthen them was bestowed on the
first rows of cornices, and on such architectural members as had to sustain
others; these upper portions, on the contrary, being borne by the lower and
fixed to the wall as best might be without any extreme care, but never made
salient by excessive or abrupt protrusion. They are always graduated and
pitched, so that rain-water may never flow down behind, but invariably along,
their front. Here in Italy, through the sudden changes of temperature, frost
will soon split the hardest marbles ; nevertheless, although these terra-cottas are
not attached to the wall in a very elaborate fashion, yet in consequence of the
builder's precautions to prevent water standing on them, they appear little in-
jured by frost.

No better evidence can be produced of the uniform care employed in the
kneading and burning of the clay, than the rarity of inequalities or discolorations
to be discerned in it.

V. OTTOLINI.

Milan, January, 1867.

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