Memorials in Glass
designslinger]
Sometimes when you set out on an adventure you will find something surprising. That is
just what happened to us when we went out to take some photos at Chicago's Rosehill Cemetery.
We discovered a treasure trove of beautiful art glass in the mausoleum.
The day started out clear and sunny and good for picture taking. But, by the time we got
to the cemetery it was gray and overcast. We headed into the large mausoleum structure and discovered crypt after family crypt with stunning examples of funerary art in glass.
There was a definite theme at work. Lots of views into the sunset, streams of water
leading you to the horizon, boats gliding into the distance. As you can see, most of the designs are what you might expect to find in a cemetery mausoleum, but there were a few artisans who took a more contemporary approach to their work.
The designers and fabricators of these treasures remain anonymous, except for one. The
dark tomb of John Shedd barely reveals a beautiful piece in blue from Tiffany & Co. I guess it was inevitable that with all of the thousands of pieces of art glass in the building, there had to be a Tiffany among them.
Posted by designslinger at 12/23/2009 1:48 AM 
Categories: Decorative Arts
Tags: stained glass art glass Rosehill Cemetery
Categories: Decorative Arts
Tags: stained glass art glass Rosehill Cemetery
I love funerary art! Thank you so much for this series of pictures.
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Glad you enjoyed them. We plan on visiting Rosehill again with shots of some very interesting memorial markers.
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One of your most colorful and beautiful posts so far. Excellent to celebrate this time of year. Merry Christmas!
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Thank you Carlos!! And a very Happy New Year!
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I have been researching the life of Sidney Lovell the Chicago architect who designed the Rose Hill Mausoleum, for several years. Those interested can view his bio and work at: http://tinyurl.com/dd272f
Regards,
David in Wichita
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Thanks for sending the link. It's a great site. Had no idea Lovell designed so many mausoleums around the country.
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Thanks for the kind words. I have added a link to your site from the Sidney Lovell, bio page. If that will not work for you let me know.
Regards,
David in Wichita
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That's great David. Thanks so much. And Happy New Year!
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Very cool pictures! I've been to Rosehill a few times due to family being buried there but have never seen these stained glass pieces.
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On your next visit, if you have the time, check out the mausoleum. It's at the western edge of the cemetery and worth a walk-thru.
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