Court of Ages, Louis Christian Mullgardt, of San Francisco, architect.
Most original of the courts. Faint influence of Spanish Gothic,
Romanesque, French, Moorish. Richness and profusion. Suggests evolution
of man.
Palaces around court: northeast, Mines; northwest, Transportation;
southwest, Manufactures; southeast, Varied Industries,
Decorations on columns of archways around court, kelp, crabs, lobsters,
and other sea animals. Vertical lines in columns suggest falling water.
Fairy lamps, two in each archway, delicately designed.
"Primitive Man and Woman," by Albert Weinert, repeated alternately above
corridors around court. Man, a hunter, feeding pelican. Woman, the
child-bearer.
Tower at north entrance, suggestive of French cathedral architecture,
massive, but gives appearance of lightness. One of the great successes
of the Exposition.
"The Rise of Civilization," groups of sculpture on tower, by Chester
Beach. Central idea, evolution, Stone Age, Mediaeval Age, and Present
Age. "Primitive Man," lowest group, just above great reptiles in
foreground. Man is holding child and protecting mate. "Mediaeval Age"
directly above, Crusader in center, Priest and Warrior on sides. The
candlesticks on sides of crusader, used in mediaeval churches, the light
of understanding. On sides of altar, "Modern Man and Woman," struggling
for freedom from the physical to the spiritual. "Spirit of Intelligence"
enthroned above; on one side, child with book; on the other side, child
with wheel of industry.
Chanticleer, repeated on highest pinnacles of court, at level with
altar. Signifying dawn of Christianity.
"Thought," figure on east and west sides of tower. Candlesticks at
sides.
Design on upper part of tower, suggested by the lily, emblem of purity.
Star clusters, at south end of court and in north court, by Ryan,
modeled from snow crystal, and deepening the ecclesiastical character of
the court by suggesting the golden monstrance, shaped like the rays of
the sun, used in the Catholic church and, in the small glass-covered
circle at the center, holding the sacred host.
"Water Sprites," by Leo Lentelli. Girl archers on top of columns at four
corners of central court, launching arrow at sprites on base of columns.
Originally designed as fountains.
Serpent cauldrons, around pool, designed by Mullgardt.
"Fountain of the Earth," by Robert Aitken, in center of court. Two Parts
to fountain; large central one with globe representing earth, surrounded
by panels showing life on earth; and on same pedestal to south, groups
representing life before and after death. "Setting Sun," group at
extreme south of pool, by Aitken. Man holding golden ball, Helios;
serpent, heat of sun.
Figures on west side of southern group, "The Dawn of Life." Hand of
Destiny giving life, pointing toward earth; Sleep of Woman before Birth;
the Awakening; Joy of Life; Kiss of Life; Birth. Gap to central group
represents time between peopling and history.
Panels around earth; South Panel; Vanity in center with handglass; man
and woman with children, representing Fecundity, starting on earthly
journey.
West Panel: "Natural Selection;" women turn to fittest male; one
rejected suitor angry, other despairing.
North Panel: "Physical Courage" or "Awakening of War Spirit." Two men
fight for possession of woman on left. Woman on right attempts to draw
one aside.
East Panel: "Lesson of Life." Old woman gives counsel to young man and
woman. Old man restrains an angry, jealous youth.