Symbols of Government
The large central cartouche, the rounded convex sculpture, surrounded by elaborate ornamentation, rests on the top of the building, set before the mansard roof, crowning the portico. This sculpture depicts the shield of the United States and marks the building as Federal rather than municipal. An eagle rests on top of the shield, and flanking it are two winged women, personifications of Peace and Strength. Peace holds a sheathed sword, symbolizing a peaceful nation, and Strength holds a bundle of reeds, symbolizing the strength of a perfect union. This cartouche is the work of Karl Bitter, who at the time of his death was the president of the National Sculpture Society. He was an active New York artist, designing the statue of General Siegel in Riverside Drive, panels for Trinity Church, and figures for the façade of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Under the main entrance, the municipal coat of arms of New York City, carved in Siena marble, is located centrally in a lunette of gold and silver. This is the work of Andrew O’Conner. At the center of the coat of arms is an early landscape, depicting a port with ships sailing under the beaming sun. Surrounding the landscape are two allegorical females of Liberty and Justice. Atop the emblem rests an eagle perched on a globe of the world. On the bottom of the coat of arms rests the New York motto of ‘Excelsior’ meaning ever upward. Cass Gilbert responded to the first appropriation for this piece by stating that the amount was too small to attract a good sculptor. He requested an upgrade in the salary and received $3,000 to provide for this commission.
Lastly, the granite keystone of the main entrance is carved to represent the serene head of ‘Columbia,’ created by the sculptor Vincenzo Alfano in 1903. He also carved the prototypes of the eight races of man, alternating in the keystones of the second floor windows.
