Photo CreditCarol M. Highsmith Photography
Symbols of Government
Artist
Karl Theodore Francis Bitter
Year1907
Classification
sculpture
Dimensions17' x 25' 10" x 5'
- The large central cartouche which pierces the skyline holds the shield of the United States, marking the building as Federal rather than municipal. Flanking the shield of the United States are two winged women, "One of them holds a sheathed sword, symbolizing a great nation at peace, and the other holds a bundle of reeds, symbolizing the strength of perfect union." (source: Brendan Gill, The United States Custom House on Bowling Green, New York Landmarks Conservancy, 1976; 100 Years of Grandeur: The Alexander Hamilton United States Custom House).
The sculpture consists of the United States Seal surmounted by an eagle and flanked on each side by a winged woman. The eagle perches with his wings outstretched. The central carved seal motif is embellished with scroll work designs at each side; beyond each area of the scroll work designs are decorative folds and curls of drapery. At the top, along the edges of the seal's decorative work, there are floral garlands set to each side of the surmounted eagle. Along the bottom edge of the seal's decorative work, are bands of vegetative garlands. Each angel leans toward the central seal. Each winged woman possess only the outer side wing and their outer side arm. The arms near the center are represented only to the elbow, at which point they schematically disappear behind the seal. In her outstretched proper right hand, the proper right angel holds a carved stone sword by its hilt. The proper left angel holds a bound column in her outstretched proper left hand.
