Palaces and Courts of the Exposition - Juliet James

The Tower of Jewels

Architect - Thomas Hastings of New York.

Architecture - Italian Renaissance with Byzantine features.

This great Tower of Jewels symbolizes the Panama Canal, the jewel today that is most resplendent.

It is 433 feet high. In cold weather, owing to the contraction of the steel, it is said to be four inches shorter than in warm weather.

The arch is 110 feet high and 60 feet broad.

The tower is in seven lifts, surmounted by the earth with its shimmering jewels. You are reminded that the whole earth is affected by this stupendous piece of engineering (the Panama Canal).

The figures on the pedestals of the arch are by John Flanagan of New York, and they represent:

1. The Adventurer, the type of man of the 16th century who pushed out into the wilderness of the southwest.
2. The Priest, the type of man who came to convert the country in the 16th century.
3. The Philosopher, who by his fine knowledge of the Greek and Latin manuscripts was able to disseminate knowledge in the 16th century thruout the new regions.
4. The Warrior, the type of 16th century soldier who came to conquer the country.

On the first tier you meet the Armoured Horseman by Tonetti, the type of colonizer of the 16th century.

Now look at the equestrian statues that stand on either side of the Tower. That on the right is Cortez (by Chas. Niehaus), the conqueror of Mexico - the man who wrested Mexico from Montezuma for the kingdom of Spain.

On the left Pizarro (by Chas. Rumsey), the conqueror of Peru, who gained for Spain the land of the Incas.

The country north of the Panama region was conquered by the Spanish. That on the south of Panama was also the Spanish land.

It is time now to read the inscriptions on the south side of the tower:

1501

Rodrigo de Bastides, pursuing his course beyond the West Indies, discovers Panama.

1513

Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, crossing the Isthmus of Panama, 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.

-

The United States has put thru the canal, so the American eagle with outstretched wings is seen as a decorative motive on either side of the Tower - with telling suggestions.

The hand of the law is governing the commerce of the Panama Canal, hence you receive that gentle reminder in the Roman insignia, the fasces.

In the old Roman days of the kingdom, as well as in the days of the Roman republic, the lictor marched in front of the head of the State carrying the fasces, those twelve birch rods with the ax, indicating punishment and then death if the laws were not obeyed.

The fasces are seen at the extreme ends of the wings of the tower.

It is interesting to see this same device used in the Liberal Arts Palace and in the Educational Palace - especially in reform exhibits or such exhibitions as the New York Educational Exhibit, where the hand of state is suggested.

The laurel wreath on the tower is another speaking motive.

The vessels push out in all directions from the Panama Canal. You get that suggestion at the corners of the third lift.

Don't lose sight of the beautiful turquoise green columns in the temple forms of the Tower. At night the aquamarines follow out the same beautiful color.

Watch, when the Tower is first illuminated with the blood glow, and you will see that it almost pulsates with life. It should, for is it not the vital part of this great Exposition?

-

Jewels on the Tower

There are some ten tons of jewels used at the Exposition.

Fifty thousand jewels are used on the Tower alone, accenting in the main its architectural feature.

These jewels are of five colors - mostly canary and white glass, ruby, emerald, aquamarine.

Mathematical calculations have been made by expert physicists to show at just what angle the jewel must be cut.

These jewels were made in Austria.

Nearly every village in Austria has its glass workers - the finest workers in their line in the world.

Sand of a peculiar quality is most carefully prepared, mixed with other ingredients, the whole being brought to a molten state.

This glass is then poured into molds.

It is taken out of the molds, the casts being carefully trimmed by hand. The principal tool used is a rotating sanded wheel.

The prism is polished by hand with tin, so as to make the facets perfectly smooth. This glass must be very hard in order to reflect sufficiently well.

The glass is called Sumatra Stone. It is tinted to counterfeit jewels. These jewels are held in place by metallic bands from which extend small arms at the back of each jewel to hold tiny mirrors which assist in the reflection.

Each jewel is suspended from a hook so that it is in constant vibration, in order to catch the rays of light most advantageously.

-

As you have now rehearsed your history and have in mind what has been done by the United States in regard to the Panama Canal (the Tower of Jewels), walk thru the Court of the Universe to the Esplanade where stands the Column of Progress.

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The Tower of Jewels Architect - Thomas Hastings of New York. Architecture - Italian Renaissance with Byzantine features. This great Tower of Jewels symbolizes the Panama Canal, the jewel today that is most resplendent. It is 433 feet high. In cold weather, owing to the contraction of the steel, it is said to be four inches shorter than in warm weather. The arch is 110 feet high and 60 feet broad. The tower is in seven lifts, surmounted by the earth with its shimmering jewels. You are reminded that the whole earth is affected by this stupendous piece of engineering (the Panama Canal). The figures on the pedestals of the arch are by John Flanagan of New York, and they represent: 1. The Adventurer, the type of man of the 16th century who pushed out into the wilderness of the southwest. 2. The Priest, the type of man who came to convert the country in the 16th century. 3. The Philosopher, who by his fine knowledge of the Greek and Latin manuscripts was able to disseminate knowledge in the 16th century thruout the new regions. 4. The Warrior, the type of 16th century soldier who came to conquer the country. On the first tier you meet the Armoured Horseman by Tonetti, the type of colonizer of the 16th century. Now look at the equestrian statues that stand on either side of the Tower. That on the right is Cortez (by Chas. Niehaus), the conqueror of Mexico - the man who wrested Mexico from Montezuma for the kingdom of Spain. On the left Pizarro (by Chas. Rumsey), the conqueror of Peru, who gained for Spain the land of the Incas. The country north of the Panama region was conquered by the Spanish. That on the south of Panama was also the Spanish land. It is time now to read the inscriptions on the south side of the tower: 1501 Rodrigo de Bastides, pursuing his course beyond the West Indies, discovers Panama. 1513 Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, crossing the Isthmus of Panama, 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. - The United States has put thru the canal, so the American eagle with outstretched wings is seen as a decorative motive on either side of the Tower - with telling suggestions. The hand of the law is governing the commerce of the Panama Canal, hence you receive that gentle reminder in the Roman insignia, the fasces. In the old Roman days of the kingdom, as well as in the days of the Roman republic, the lictor marched in front of the head of the State carrying the fasces, those twelve birch rods with the ax, indicating punishment and then death if the laws were not obeyed. The fasces are seen at the extreme ends of the wings of the tower. It is interesting to see this same device used in the Liberal Arts Palace and in the Educational Palace - especially in reform exhibits or such exhibitions as the New York Educational Exhibit, where the hand of state is suggested. The laurel wreath on the tower is another speaking motive. The vessels push out in all directions from the Panama Canal. You get that suggestion at the corners of the third lift. Don't lose sight of the beautiful turquoise green columns in the temple forms of the Tower. At night the aquamarines follow out the same beautiful color. Watch, when the Tower is first illuminated with the blood glow, and you will see that it almost pulsates with life. It should, for is it not the vital part of this great Exposition? - Jewels on the Tower There are some ten tons of jewels used at the Exposition. Fifty thousand jewels are used on the Tower alone, accenting in the main its architectural feature. These jewels are of five colors - mostly canary and white glass, ruby, emerald, aquamarine. Mathematical calculations have been made by expert physicists to show at just what angle the jewel must be cut. These jewels were made in Austria. Nearly every village in Austria has its glass workers - the finest workers in their line in the world. Sand of a peculiar quality is most carefully prepared, mixed with other ingredients, the whole being brought to a molten state. This glass is then poured into molds. It is taken out of the molds, the casts being carefully trimmed by hand. The principal tool used is a rotating sanded wheel. The prism is polished by hand with tin, so as to make the facets perfectly smooth. This glass must be very hard in order to reflect sufficiently well. The glass is called Sumatra Stone. It is tinted to counterfeit jewels. These jewels are held in place by metallic bands from which extend small arms at the back of each jewel to hold tiny mirrors which assist in the reflection. Each jewel is suspended from a hook so that it is in constant vibration, in order to catch the rays of light most advantageously. - As you have now rehearsed your history and have in mind what has been done by the United States in regard to the Panama Canal (the Tower of Jewels), walk thru the Court of the Universe to the Esplanade where stands the Column of Progress.