In search of decorative lattices
In fact Yang and Hsin are just ordinary people, and they didn’t study historic heritage or architecture. Hsin was born in Tainan, but has spent many years in Northern Taiwan. He arranged with some friends to return to his hometown to have a look around. They found their way into small backstreets to look at old houses, where “we discovered that the facades formed a fascinating streetscape. It felt like we were in a different city.”
They noticed that many of the photos they took there were of decorative metal window lattices. The more unusual ones all have their own stories. When they were out hunting for more such treasures, if they found that the homeowner was at home, they would pay a visit to ask about the designs. The design of many decorative lattices is related to the profession of the homeowner. A consultant from an eyeglass makers’ industrial association had his lattice created in the shape of spectacles, while the lattice of a music teacher incorporated musical instruments including the violin, piano, and guitar. Alternatively, some lattices have the name or logo of the owner’s business embedded in them. “Moreover, once Taiwanese break the ice they are very warm and friendly. As a result, when we finished chatting with people they would treat us to fruit or tea, and they would move items out of the way so that we could take better photographs,” says Yang.
In the book Old House Face and the Iron Window: The Patterns that Reflect History of Taiwan, compiled by Old House Face Studio, they mention that the decorative lattices that most impressed them were found on a private residence in Lukang. The owner designed his lattices to include the famous Lukang historic sites Shiyilou (a heritage building) and Banbianjing (a historic structure noteworthy for its “half-sided well”), using perspective techniques to show the three-dimensionality of the buildings. He also made a metal lattice featuring the Arc du Triomphe in Paris, based on memories of a trip he made to France with his daughter. These lattices have become part of the family’s collective memory and continue to live on with the family members.
There is also a musically themed lattice in Taichung, which has the five-line staff of sheet music welded onto it, along with some musical notes. A netizen posted a photo to the Old House Face Facebook page and asked if anyone could identify the tune represented on the grille, but thus far there has been no accurate answer.
How can one find decorative window lattices? Yang suggests that people can spend time in the old parts of towns and exploring their back streets, where there will always be unexpected discoveries. Also, don’t forget to look up at the lattices on the second floor and above, for if you keep your eyes peeled there will be delightful surprises.
Laco Yang (left) and Hsin Yung-sheng (right) created the “Old House Face” Facebook fan page, starting a trend for searching out decorative lattices. (photo by Kent Chuang)
Some decorative lattices tell family stories. After Mr. Huang from Changhua's Lukang visited France with his daughter, he turned their memories into this “Arc du Triomphe” window lattice.