According to An Architectural Guidebook to Brooklyn, by Francis Morrone, the mosaics on the ceiling in the photos above and below were designed by artist Angelo Magnanti. The mosaic above is hand painted. The one below is a grand depiction of the zodiac in gold and pale blue. This photo doesn't do it justice:
These remind me of the ornate designs on the front of the Brooklyn Public Library. Does anyone know more about them? Are they by the same artist? Update: I think they're by Rene Chambellan. The iron figures in the first photo definitely are.
Squirrels on either side stand guard as this girl holds on tight to a beehive:
