Földes Mária: Ornamentation - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1993)

probably an Assyrian temple, especially the edifices crowning the section above the main entrance. The two enormous, lace-decorated towers surrounded by winged lions remind one of those ancient buildings. Naturally here, too, we find the Mercury figure representing commerce, and we can see head-shaped capitals at the centre of the vaulted hoodmoulds, but these are lost in the over-abundance of architectonic elements. The architect used more sculptural decoration on the side facades-the exotic figures in the lush vegetation on the frieze below the main cornice representing affluence, fertility and oriental commerce. Neither genuine sculptural creations, nor any beautiful features in the by now completely altered interior counterbalance the confusing and overcrowded nature of the external image as a whole.

The mass of the Austro-Hungarian Bank opposite the Exchange Palace is more happily distributed. The design based on that of Baroque palaces is characterised by more poised proportions and a homogeneous division of the facade. Its sculptural decoration is varied and diverse. Indeed, we could not mention another building with the same amount of sculptural decoration which is of equal significance with the architecture itself.

There are two large bronze statues symbolizing agriculture and industry in front of the tympanum on the

National Bank, Industry and Agriculture,

SCULPTURAL DECORATION

47