Bidspirit auction | Ceiling Medallion From Nortown Theater,

Ceiling Medallion From Nortown Theater, Chicago - Removed from Chicago's historic Nortown Theatre, located at 6320 N. Western Avenue in the West Ridge neighborhood, this impressive, large-scale antique architectural ceiling medallion features neoclassical styling with tiered egg-and-dart molding, stylized palmette/acanthus leaf border relief, and a rope-twist inner border surrounding a recessed painted center canvas. Built in 1931 by Balaban & Katz and designed by architect James E. O. Pridmore, the Nortown Theatre was a premier atmospheric movie palace famed for its grand sea-themed motifs, twinkling night-sky ceiling, and elaborate plasterwork. Following the theater's closure in 1990 and prior to its eventual demolition in 2007, select decorative plaster fixtures were carefully salvaged from the interior. Cast in heavy plaster composition with a painted gold leaf and gilt finish, this piece exemplifies early 20th-century cinema architecture. Physical condition reveals expected chipping along the outer rim, localized plaster loss exposing white substrate, minor surface cobwebs, and structural stress cracks radiating across the face requiring the piece to be stored flat to minimize further damage. H 2.25”, W 48”, D 48”. Please see photos for condition. Note: Pickup/Transport required. Contacts available Post-Auction.