Winkle Terra Cotta Co. WINKLE architectural ornament

Object/Artifact

-

National Building Arts Center

Front of a Winkle Terra Cotta Co. "WINKLE" architectural ornament: Front view of a tan rectangular terra cotta ornamental piece with a sloping top section, and with a mottled, light and dark grey glaze imitating granite, and the word "WINKLE" carved into the surface
Front of a Winkle Terra Cotta Co. "WINKLE" architectural ornament

Front view of a tan rectangular terra cotta ornamental piece with a sloping top section, and with a mottled, light and dark grey glaze imitating granite, and the word "WINKLE" carved into the surface

Name/Title

Winkle Terra Cotta Co. "WINKLE" architectural ornament

Description

a tan rectangular terra cotta ornamental piece with a sloping top section, and with a mottled, light and dark grey glaze imitating granite, and the word "WINKLE" carved into the surface. There is also a lip on the bottom and divots on the sides.

Use

Promotional object, used for the purpose of advertising the Winkle Terra Cotta Co., to deliver samples of their work to potential customers/clients, or to represent products they sold. This piece may also have been a part of a building likely associated with the Winkle Terra Cotta Co., as the lip and divots on the back and sides indicate it may have been in use on a building.

Collection

Promotional object displays

Made/Created

Manufacturer

The Winkle Terra Cotta Co.

Time Period

19th Century, 20th Century

Place

City

St. Louis

State/Province

Missouri

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America

Notes

The date of manufacture is unknown, but in 1889, the Joseph Winkle Terra Cotta works was incorporated under the title of The Winkle Terra Cotta Co. Thus, the ornamental piece is likely from after 1889.

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Ornament, Wall

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Ornament, Surface

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Surface Elements

Nomenclature Class

Building Components

Nomenclature Category

Category 01: Built Environment Objects

LOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials

Terra-cotta

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Measurements taken from the object at a standing position, with the word "WINKLE" facing outward.

Height

10.8 cm

Width

29.5 cm

Depth

4.6 cm

Parts

Count

1

Parts

Ornamental piece

Material

terra cotta

Color

Tan, Gray

Condition

Overall Condition

Fair

Condition Type

Chip / Chipping, Missing Areas / Holes

Date Examined

Aug 1, 2026

Examined By

Elena Marshall

Surface

The front surface's glaze has chipped off in several places, and the top right corner of the ornament has broken off.

Structure

The back of the ornament is raw, fired terra cotta that feels delicate and has crumbled away in some places.

Research Notes

Research Type

Researcher

Person

Elena Marshall

Date

Aug 1, 2026

Web Links and URLs

Article taken from a 1904 edition of the journal "Brick" about the Winkle Terra Cotta Co.

Create Date

August 1, 2026

Update Date

August 1, 2026