Philadelphia Civic Center Commerce Limestone Frieze

A ten piece frieze that was formerly hung on the Philadelphia Civic Center in Pennsylvania. The building was erected in 1929 and was used for political conventions, sporting events and other general activities. It was recently demolished, but before the building was torn down our Architecturologists were on the scene salvaging many of the one of a kind friezes. This figural frieze has a ‘commerce’ theme. It depicts different types of commerce throughout the world. It starts out with ancient men on the left hand side, and on the right side it ends with circa 1930s men. The middle has a seated figure of Hermes “God of boundaries and of the travelers who cross them, of shepherds and cowherds, of orators, literature and poets, of athletics, of weights and measures and invention and commerce in general.” There are some minor breaks in the stone, but this one of a kind piece is in excellent overall condition after being exposed to the elements for over 75 years.