Nicolaci (Villadorata) Palace--page 2 (of two pages)

Balconies: a sign of wealth According to Tobriner, "the social status of an individual in Noto would be read from the facade of his dwelling. The more important the building and the greater the client's ability to pay, the more likely the building would be to have decorated door mouldings, window surrounds, or a facade proudly ornamented with the orders--all carved in pietra d'intaglio" (123). These balconies made of costly materials are elaborately and expensively carved. Tobriner adds that these balconies are the "most boisterous decoration in Noto," perhaps more notable because the facade itself is planar and "pristine."
		Female heads, decorative foliage and grotesque masks supporting this balcony
Prancing winged horses, foliage, and an alligator-like figure with a tail with scales (visible in the image on the right)
Grotesque carved male figures, some winged but missing limbs; below on the brackets are babys' heads
Floating naked female figures, elaborated foliage, and grotesque heads
	Naturalistic heads above apparently horrified grotesque faces See row below as well.
Storybook lions with stylized manes

Works Consulted or Quoted:
The Baroque Art in Val di Noto [official guidebook] Palermo, n.d.
Grady, Ellen. Sicily [Blue Guide]. New York: Norton, 2006.
Tobriner, Stephen. The Genesis of Noto. London: Zwemmer, 1982.

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