I had one of these exact keystones around 1978, but I fail to remember now which building it came from. I keep thinking it was from around 110th street in Harlem, and since I only had the one it makes sense it was some distance away and that I brought it back via bicycle and didn't return to get more of them. I remember it was painted dark green.

This one I purchased from a salvage outfit last week for $250, made of white terra cotta, circa 1905, it was painted 3 times, white then 2 shade of red. I suspect it was first painted around the 1920's as it shows some natural coal soot patina staining.

After applying paint stripper followed by a high pressure water cleaning at a car wash, 95% of the paint is gone, revealing the subtle patina of this pretty design which features fish scales (imbrication) a fruited festoon swag and large acanthus leaf on a scrolled backing.

The symbolism is typical of the era; life, spring and horn of plenty. Purchased 7/08