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A piece of the China Pavilion
survives today as an unusual collectible. This is one of the
decorative ceiling panels salvaged from the pavilion by the wreckers.
It measures 16 3/4 inches square. The panel is hand-painted light-weight
wood. The image of the bird and dragon are "raised"
on the tile as is the edging and the circle surrounding the central
image.
The engraved plaque reads: "CHINA
PAVILION . NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR .
WRECKING CORPORATION OF AMERICA"
These tiles can be seen on the
preceding page in the post card views of the ceiling of the Pavilion
Balcony and the interior shot featuring the wood carved screen
"100 Birds Pay Tribute to Queen Phoenix."
The pavilions of the Fair were
built to be temporary and this is a great example of what that
means. The panel is inexpensive light-weight wood painted to
look rich. Truly "faux" art intended to be destroyed
with the pavilion at the end of the Fair. From a distance (or
in pictures) it would appear to be a fine painted ceramic!
Imagine what the wreckers must
have thought coming into this Pavilion to demolish it at the
close of the Fair. It must have been heartbreaking. Perhaps that
is why this piece survives today.
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