Editing Terracotta (section)

===History===
[[File:太和殿的脊獸.JPG|thumb|[[Imperial roof decoration]] in the [[Forbidden City]] ]]
[[File:Methodist Central Hall Birmingham, porch frieze S.jpg|thumb|One of two terracotta relief sculptures, "Events in the Life of John Wesley", in the porch of Methodist Central Hall, Birmingham, England]]
Architectural terracotta is a broad term encompassing a wide ranging variety of clay-based architectural elements such as wall reliefs, decorative roof elements, and architectural sculpture. 

Many ancient and traditional roofing styles included more elaborate sculptural elements than the plain [[roof tiles]], such as Chinese [[Imperial roof decoration]] and the [[antefix]] of western [[classical architecture]]. In India [[West Bengal]] made a speciality of terracotta temples, with the sculpted decoration from the same material as the main brick construction.

Architectural terracotta experienced a resurgence in western architecture starting in the mid-19th century.<ref>Grove, 2, ii</ref>  Starting in Europe, architects designed elaborate buildings relying on terracotta detailing for their facades. [[James Taylor (ceramicist)|James Taylor]] was one of the first producers of architectural terracotta to find success in the United States, using his experience manufacturing the material in England to guide his work in North America.<ref name="STun" />

The [[Great Chicago Fire of 1871]] led to increased demand for fireproof materials in urban settings, and helped drive the following push for architectural terracotta throughout North America. The material remained popular through the early 1900s, with its versatility allowing it to support a variety of architectural styles such as Rennaissance revival, [[neo-Gothic]], and [[Art deco]].<ref name="STun" />

Emerging trends in [[Modernist architecture]] favoring the use of concrete and glass significantly reduced demand for architectural terracotta starting in the 1930s.<ref>Grove, 2, ii, c and d</ref> In the time since, the material has experienced a resurgence of interest, favored for work in [[postmodern architecture|postmodern]] and [[revival architecture|revivalist architectural]] styles.<ref name="STun" />