definition
strict definition
terra-cotta
Baked-clay material used on ornamental facades as tiles or sculptural forms, with polished or unpolished finishes.
Pictured: Woolworth Building
Terra cotta is a baked clay used in ornamental facades. The material can be polished or unpolished, and it can be applied as tiles or shaped into sculptural forms.
The fired clay can form either relatively flat tiles or three-dimensional ornament. Sculptural shaping therefore remains within the facade material category.
A polished surface is optional. The material is identified by the baked clay rather than a single color, surface finish, or ornament shape.
