Chivalry in Craft: Symbolism in the Architecture of Childs & Smith
FORTHCOMING
Roars of Barbary lions, seeking counsel from drawing maps of the stars, and the strife to sculpt as great as the eminent Phidias are all echoes of the past brought to life in the early architecture of Childs & Smith. By designing buildings that exhibited the crafts: carved stone, leaded art glass, painted ceilings, faience tiles, and others, these Chicago-based architects planned for spaces that inspired dignity in any and all of the people who used them.
Writer and tile artist, Ben Tyjeski, showcases the use of symbolism and allegories in the crafts that shaped the marvelous buildings designed by Childs & Smith. Concerning the expression of the doorway, he celebrates the work of the artists who contributed their labor to the heightened sense of drama and intrigue in their architecture. Tyjeski also illuminates the history and process of creating faience tiles with ample illustrations.
This story affirms the dedication and skill of Midwestern designers to bring elegance to a young, industrious nation. With an emphasis on faience tiles, this book explores the patronage of beauty and the virtue of handmade craft defining the work of Childs & Smith.
First Edition
Hardcover, full color
8.5" x 11"
112 pages
Expected Publication: November 2026