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Acanthus Photo Galleries: Botanical, Artistic, Architectural.
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Acanthus Photos #3: Architectural

Each image links to a larger version.

California: State Capitol Building
The Capitol Building is covered with acanthus leaf mouldings, columns, and other decorative pieces. This is a beautiful example of a Corinthian column with the acanthus leaves touching the capital.
Acanthus leaves curl over windows and doorways. Note the additional acanthus leaf patterns in the corners. Here is another set of columns, both rounded Corinthian ones, and square ones. Also note the acanthus decor under the eaves.

California: Governor's Mansion S.H.P.
The Governor's Mansion also has Corinthian columns. There are at least two other acanthus patterns visible. Two other acanthus patterned carvings illustrating just how stylized the acanthus pattern can be.
A carved repeating acanthus leaf pattern made for an attactive privacy screen for the residents inside. Another decorative acanthus pattern.
 
Along the ceilings of the interior hallways you can find hundreds more acanthus leaves in the mouldings. Gold often accompanies acanthus leaves (as shown here) to indicate wealth, power, and accomplishment.

California: Sacramento Buildings
The Sacramento City Library also uses Corinthian columns, probably to symbolize integrity, creativity, and the classics. Several other decorations could be based on acanthus leaves. The Elks Lodge proudly displays the acanthus leaf. Sometimes people incorrectly assume the acanthus leaf is some type of stylized seashell pattern.
Even ordinary houses can be made to look much more special, like this one on 20th Street. Midtown Sacramento has many houses featuring a variety of acanthus deisgns.
Some of the designs are quite colorful, too! The Hotel Regis uses many interesting symbols, including the acanthus, in its structural decorations.
The Hotel Senator combines lion heads, ocean waves, angels, and at least three different acanthus designs on this one corner. The Hotel Senator also provides another example of a Corinthian column; this time connecting to an archway.
The doorway of the El Cortez Hotel combines acanthus leaves and a few other plants to create a different sort of column style. Acanthus leaves also figure prominently in the adjacent wall decoration. You might think this beautiful work of art graces the ceiling of the grand ballroom of the El Cortez Hotel, but it does not. This is outside the building, right under the eaves.
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All photos on this page were taken by Dave Murray of Acanthus Technology, Inc. and are copyright © 2004-2005. All rights are reserved. Unless you receive prior written permission, you may not use these photos in any manner or link directly to them for display on another site.