Florentine Door, 1930

Steel, bronze, silver; stamped inscription, "OSCAR BACH FECIT 1930" at lower left.
83 1/2 x 37 3/4 x 1 3/4 inches

Massive door created in the Gothic style by Oscar Bach for Michael J. Paterno's 50th floor office suite located at the Lincoln Building, 60 East 42nd Street, James E. R. Carpenter, architect. Paterno, a builder of prominence and partner in the firm Paterno Bros is depicted as an old world masterbuilder standing before a view of medieval Florence amid a field of inlaid silver fleur-de-lyses and holding a Gothic campanile and pair of dividers. A large medallion representing Duke of Florence, Alessandro de' Medici, rests on the figure's chest and around his waist hangs a lavish belt with a fanciful mask buckle. Bach's Italian inscription honoring Michael Paterno by name as a "nobile" and "genio" masterbuilder borders the main panel with tools of the trade featured in each corner. The verso is a framed panel design with a central fleur-de-lys motif. The door retains its original bronze frames incised with an Art Deco inspired zigzag pattern. Almost all elements are wax cast and applied with varying brown chemical patinas and pigmented lacquer. Details such as a grotesque lever handle, working vertical letter slot and hinged keyhole cover are also preserved.

Private Collection, Richmond, VA