By Bill Thawley

One of the legacies of the Art Deco movement in interior design and architecture is the use of stained glass in secular environments. Stained glass was used in libraries courthouses, colleges and universities, hospitals and government buildings. The themes depicted in these windows are largely historical or commemorative rather than simply decorative. In this article, second in a series of three, we take a look at the Tiffany Windows at the Red Cross National Headquarters building (NHQ) in Washington, D.C.

Tiffany and His Unique Glass

Favrile glass is a type of iridescent art glass developed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. He patented this process in 1894 and first produced the glass for manufacture in 1896 in Queens, New York. It differs from most iridescent glasses because the color is ingrained in the glass itself, as well as having a distinctive color pallet. Tiffany won a grand prize at the 1900 Paris Exposition for his Favrile glass innovation.

The Board of Governors room contains three Favrile windows by designer Louis Comfort Tiffany, the son of the famous New York jeweler. They are notable for being the largest suite of windows outside a religious building in the U.S. The costs of the windows were donated by two organizations of Civil War women: the Woman’s Relief Corps of the North, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy. They were installed in 1917 and were designed to symbolize reconciliation and unity following the Civil War. Mabel Thorpe Boardman, successor to Clara Barton,wanted these windows, but the money was not in the budget. However, she she obtained donations from the above-mentioned organizations among others.

Windows That Tell a Story

The left window was donated by the Woman’s Relief Corps (representing the women of the North). This design is based on Henry Wadsworth Longellow’s poem “Santa Filomena”, honoring the work of Florence Nightingale, the founder of Nursing as a profession. The central figure represents St. Philomena, who was noted for her healing powers. She is surrounded by attendant maidens who symbolize love, compassion, hope, mercy, faith and charity.

The center window was donated by both North, and South. It portrays an army of knights in armor carrying spears and mounted on horses as they head into battle. The central figure carries a large flag with the Red Cross emblem in the center. Near the horse’s feet lies a fallen warrior receiving food and aid from a faithful comrade. This represents that even in the heat of battle, there is still time to help the wounded.

The right window was donated by the UDC. The central figure is Una from Edmund Spenser’s poem, “The Faerie Queene.” Una represents truth, and her attendants carry a cross and a lamp symbolizing wisdom. Also, there is a banner with a heart for love. A young woman kneels in front of Una holding a shield that bears the Red Cross emblem.

Next month, we’ll highlight Red Cross Museum at the national headquarters building.