
London Metropolitan University - Moorgate, London, UK
N 51° 31.065 W 000° 05.301
30U E 702007 N 5711422
This stained glass window is over the entrance to the London Metropolitan University that was formerly Electra House.
Waymark Code: WMDG15
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 01/11/2012
Views: 3
This window is back-lit from within so can be seen from
outside the building. The window is in three parts with the whole forming a
semi-circle. The centre section shows Electra sat on top of the world . To the
bottom left of the centre section is a sailing ship under full sail and bottom
right is a lighthouse. Between the ship and lighthouse is a rough looking sea.
The side panels show clouds and more rough sea and stars are scattered over the
three parts.
"The current neo-classical building, built by Belcher
& Joass in 1900-1903, was formerly the headquarters of Cable & Wireless.
Belcher's position as minister in the Catholic Apostolic church influenced his
ornamentation of the building, with its stained glass window embodying the theme
of communications and symbolism from the Book of Revelations. The building
became occupied by the City of London College in 1944, and subsequently joined
with other colleges to become part of London Met."
Source London
Metropolitan University website.
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The building is listed and its entry at English heritage, including the window,
reads:
"Polytechnic, formerly Electra House, headquarters of an international
telergraph company 1900-3. Belcher de Joass sculpture by George Frampton. Stone;
granite podium; slated roof. Five storeys and dormers. Twelve bays. Monumental
classical building, almost symmetrical with central dome. Rusticated to ground
and first floors. Central round arched entrance of two storeys. Rusticated
pavilions slightly advanced, flanking entrance topped by small pediments.
Concave colonnade between, with dome above. Giant Corinthian columns to either
side, to second and third storeys. Main cornice above third floor. Windows
square headed except first floor, with semicircular arches. Oriel to left hand
corner rising two storeys. r1uch figure sculpture. Bronze globe finial to dome
support by putti. Elaborate two storey entrance h').1l in stone with Ionic
columns. Original stained glass window over door depicting symbolically wireless
communications."
Source
English Heritage.