Caryatids are sculpted representations of human females that are incorporated onto the facade of buildings as supports for other elements directly above. They are different from statues, which are purely decorative, in that they form part of the structure of the building, or at least appear to do so.
These, while awesome, don't qualify. Caryatids were popular in ancient Greece and seem to have enjoyed a brief comeback about 100 years ago. When they're male instead of female they are called
atlantes.
I think both the female and male versions are completely beautiful. If we can manage to keep the thread mature, I'd love to see examples from around the world, both of the sculptures and how they are incorporated onto their buildings.
MPK's
awesome Detroit thread from a few days ago featured these pictures of the caryatids on the Book Building, which was the impetus for this thread:
Photo by MPK.
Photo by MPK.
Photo by flickr user
Wade Bryant.
These are from a building in downtown Pittsburgh. I don't know its name. They're my own pictures.
And this from Balboa Park, San Diego (my pictures).
