Tower of Jewels
Main tower breaking southern wall, facing South Gardens, the Tower of Jewels, by Thomas Hastings, of Carrere & Hastings, New York. Developed from Italian Renaissance architecture, with Byzantine modifications, and designed to suggest an Aztec tower; 433 feet high; original intention to make it 100 feet higher.
Inscriptions on wall at base of tower chosen by Porter Garnett of Berkeley, explain steps that led to building of Panama Canal, celebrated by Exposition. On both sides of inscriptions Roman fasces denoting public authority. From left to right: “1501 Rodrigo de Bastides pursuing his course beyond the West Indies discovers Panama”; “1513 Vasco Nunes de Balboa crosses the Isthmus of Panama and discovers the Pacific Ocean”; “1904 the United States, succeeding France, begins operations on the Panama Canal”; “1915 the Panama Canal is opened to the commerce of the world.”
Large Composite columns on base. Arched capitals with acanthus, ornamented with the American eagle, the nude figure of child, and ornamental design suggesting California fruits. Colored to resemble Sienna marble.
Corinthian columns at either side, eagles at corners of capital, human head above.
Figures by John Flanagan, of New York, represent types in early California history: Spanish adventurer of sixteenth century, who came to California and started Spanish influence; priest, who brought the Catholic religion to California Indians; philosopher, or scholar and teacher; and the Spanish warrior, the soldier of sixteenth century, who came to win territory for Spanish king. Above cornice of tower stand four figures on each of the four sides, twice life-size.
Between statues by Flanagan, square decorative panels; youthful figures with wreath, repeated on north of tower. Designed by Hastings, modelled by Newman and Evans, New York.
Armored horsemen on terrace, by F. M. L. Tonetti, type of Spanish soldier. Repeated four times on each side. Well modeled, but damaged in effect by being placed in row.
Rows of eagles on niches of tower, symbol of American initiative.
Decorative vase on wings of tower, Italian. Use of ram’s head below bowl.
Wreaths of laurel under eagles, rewards of courage, suggesting triumph of building canal.
Prows of triremes, at corners on third lift, denoting worldwide commerce.
Ornamental use of niches, columns, vases, head-piece, breastplates, shields, the pagan bull, Cleopatra’s Needle.
Human figures supporting globe, encircled with girdle, point of tower; suggest Atlas; ancient idea; somewhat like the group of the four quarters of the world by Jean Baptiste Carbeaux in the gardens of the Luxembourg.
Tower broken into seven stages. Horizontal lines have flattening effect; tower does not appear so high as it really is.
One hundred and thirty-five thousand jewels on tower, suspended to vibrate. Ruby, emerald, aquamarine, white, yellow. Made in Austria, of Sumatra stone.
Arch of Tower of Jewels, 110 feet high, 60 feet broad; fine example of Roman arch, like Arch of Constantine and Arch of Titus.
Recessed or coffered panels in ceiling, richly colored, blue harmonizing with murals on east and west walls.
Murals by William de Leftwich Dodge, of New York. To west, “Atlantic and the Pacific,” with the “Purchase” to right, and the “Discovery” to left. Opposite, “Gateway of All Nations,” with “Labor Crowned” and the “Achievement” on sides. Tone of murals strengthens arch. Subjects related to history of California and the Panama Canal.
Fountains, one in each of the colonnades. To right, “Fountain of Youth,” by Mrs. Edith Woodman Burroughs, of Flushing, New York. Figure of girl, simple and well-modeled; panels at either side show boats, youth rowing the older people; eagle and laurel wreath at back, suggest that central figure is United States. One figure shows a woman with hand at ear, her attention turned toward the beauty and happiness of lost youth. To left, “Fountain of El Dorado,” by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney (Mrs. Harry Payne Whitney), of New York. Panels at either side show human struggle for “land of gold,” or “happiness,” or “success.” Portals ajar, but Egyptian guardians bar the way. Dramatic subject, vigorous handling.
View of San Francisco hills between the columns, one of the most beautiful views on the grounds.
Inscriptions on north of tower, by Garnett, discovery of California and union with United States. From left to right: “1542 Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo discovers California and lands on its shores.” “1776 Jose Joaquin Moraga founds the Mission of San Francisco de Asis”; “1846 the United States upon the outbreak of war with Mexico takes possession of California”; “1850 California is admitted to the Union as a sovereign State.”
Forecourt of Court of Universe; coloring good, graceful planting of cypress.
Trees in niches under tower; contrast of colors, dark green, blue and pink.