Taft Hotel

Taft Hotel, 1936
1040 Washington Avenue
Architect: Henry Hohauser (American, 1895–1963)

(Please see images 1, 2)

The acanthus, a plant that originated in the Mediterranean region, appears frequently in ancient Greek and Roman ornament. Deco designers borrowed and simplified the acanthus leaf motif, giving it the highly stylized form it takes in the brass-plated relief by Mario Moschi and the decoration over the entrance to Henry Hohauser’s Taft Hotel.

(Please see image 3)

Plaque, 1929–32
Brass plate
Sculptor: Mario Moschi (Italian, 1896–1971)
Florence, Italy
The Mitchell Wolfson, Jr. Private Collection, Miami, Florida, 84.9.20.2 NC