Saved from the China Pavilion

A piece of the China Pavilion survives today as an unusual collectible. This is one of the decorative ceiling panels salvaged from the pavilion by the wreckers. It measures 16 3/4 inches square. The panel is hand-painted light-weight wood. The image of the bird and dragon are "raised" on the tile as is the edging and the circle surrounding the central image.

The engraved plaque reads: "CHINA PAVILION . NEW YORK WORLD'S FAIR . WRECKING CORPORATION OF AMERICA"

These tiles can be seen below in the post card view of the ceiling of the Pavilion Balcony. A section of the ceiling has been enlarged that shows the ceiling tiles similar to the salvaged tile.

The pavilions of the Fair were built to be temporary and this is a great example of what that means. The panel is inexpensive light-weight wood painted to look rich. Truly "faux" art intended to be destroyed with the pavilion at the end of the Fair. From a distance (or in pictures) it would appear to be a fine painted ceramic!

Imagine what the wreckers must have thought coming into this Pavilion to demolish it at the close of the Fair. It must have been heartbreaking. Perhaps that is why this piece survives today.