M is for Motifs

There have been a couple of alphabetical entries in this Art Deco A-Z that I have found difficult to find something to write about, and the Letter M was one of these. Initially I thought I might write about mosaics, which were quite popular during the Art Deco period, but the only one I know about is the one on the building occupied by Francis and Gaye, the jewellers on the corner of High Street and Baxter Gate. But, as it was built in 1907, this building is in the Arts and Crafts style, so not Art Deco.

So, instead, let’s talk about motifs! In architectural terms, a motif is simply an ornament, or decoration on the surface of a building, which forms a recurring pattern or theme. This could be several designs on just one building, displayed like a frieze, or similar ornamentation across a range of buildings. Often the motif is slightly raised from the surface of the building, but equally, it could stand proud, like the lion heads on the former Burton Tailoring store.

In architecture of the Art Deco period, there were many recurring motifs, and those we find in Loughborough include chevrons, roses, fans, feathers, shells, horns, lions, waves, torches, and many more.

Here are a few examples from Loughborough town centre buildings - a couple of friezes and a couple of motifs

  

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I'm taking part in the A-Z April Blogging Challenge!!

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Posted by lynneaboutloughborough

With apologies for typos which are all mine!

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