Architectural ornament from Hermitage Hotel, Nashville, TN, large molded terracotta head of roaring lion, painted cream with concrete remnant on back. Impressed numbers on back. 12 1/2" H x 17 3/4" D overall x 15 1/2" W. Circa 1910. The Hermitage Hotel, a landmark in downtown Nashville, was designed by Middle Tennessee architect J.E.R. Carpenter and finished in 1910. It has lodged a who's who of American politicians, entertainment personalities, and foreign dignitaries, and it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. One of the most notable features of the Beaux Arts style hotel is the polychromed terra cotta architectural ornamentation found at the base, top floor and roof cornice. Around 2001, restorations were made to the projecting cornice and some pieces were removed and replaced with fiberglass reproductions. Some of the original intact architectural elements were made available to Historic Nashville Inc., including this lion head, which is being sold along with its original certificate of authenticity from Historic Nashville Inc. CONDITION: Overall good condition with some cracking and weathering to paint. Two chips to paint, approximately 3/4" L each at top back of head and chips at both ears, approximately 1-1/4" and 2" L.