Cornucopia and Wreaths

JOHN LA FARGE

John La Farge

Types of glass: 1. Opalescent 2. Mottled 3. Striated 4. Confetti 5. Rippled 6. Drapery 7. Smooth Glass Jewels
Painting only on faces
One layer with multiple layers on the border only
1882/1883

John La Farge created this window for the Boston home of railroad magnate, Frederick Lothrop Ames. It was produced alongside his famous Peacock and Peonies windows, which are now in the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The window stayed in its original location for more than fifty years. It was gifted to La Farge’s grandson, Henry, before being sold in 1966 to the James Graham and Sons gallery. The window was later displayed at Maxwell’s Plum Restaurant in New York City.

La Farge created this window early in his career. It displays a variety of glass and textures. It is especially notable for the confetti glass in the center panels and the extensive use of glass jewels. La Farge also finely executed the painting on the faces. He used color, proportion, and ornament to give this window its magnificent appearance.

SPECIAL FEATURES

The development of opalescent glass led to experimentation that resulted in the creation of new types of glass, many of which are seen in this window. For example, the confetti glass in the center panels was probably some of the first ever made.
The mauve background sparkles when light passes through the tightly rippled glass.
This is the largest single panel window in the museum. Its unusual size would have created challenges when work switched from one side of the panel to the other.