Greek - Expo Paris 1889

It is distinguished by the sobriety of its lines and decoration.

In M. Garnier's model, a sort of rectangular ground-floor vestibule, with an ashlar base and a door framed by a continuous moulding, precedes the interior courtyard on which it is lit, as well as the rest of the building. The bays of the latter are geminated, and the intermediate column that bears the lintel has been given the same ornamentation as the jambs.

The visitor who is ignorant of archaeological matters will perhaps be somewhat disillusioned by the Greek dwelling, for he will have heard so much about the excellence of Hellenic art, and with good reason, that he will be surprised by the simplicity of the building. His astonishment will cease when we remind him that all the luxury of the Greek cities went into the temples and other public buildings.

The private houses consisted of two parts: one, the larger, where the women were kept and which was called the gynecae, the other reserved for the fathers of the family and their sons. Seats, beds, tables, chests and pottery of great richness of form and taste; this is all that Greek furniture was essentially composed of.

© L'exposition de Paris - 1889