Christ in Majesty with Scenes and Figures from the Old and New Testaments

Photo © Martin Crampin, Imaging the Bible in Wales larger image

1927 Sumptious five-light window. Christ in Majesty flanked by angels with the heavenly city depicted above in the tracery. Below a seraph who stands over the Virgin and child, adored by the shepherds (presumably, although the animals with them are a dog and a rabbit) and the Magi. At the sides, Peter and Isaiah, opposite Moses and John. technique: stained glass artist: Karl Parsons Church of All Saints, Porthcawl, Bridgend east wall of the sanctuary Lower part obscured by the reredos. The reredos was already in situ at the time of the commission, but the donor chose to commission the artist to fill the lower lights even though these were not visible in the main body of the church. The artist has signed the window on a stone tablet held by Moses: 'Karl Parsons designed and painted these windows, helped by Leonard Potter, the Glasshouse Lettice Street Fulham in the year 1927.' Although hidden from view, along with the entire scene of the Adoration of the Shepherds and the Magi, this is an exceptionally detailed signature for a stained glass window from any period.  (ObjectID=1180 ImageID=3811) Original File Name=_MG_8046.jpg

This artwork is indexed under the following main subject(s):
for other works containing these subjects please click on the links.

• 'Salvator Mundi', making a blessing gesture; an orb in his hand or at his feet - DD - Christ beardless 
• adoration of the kings: the Wise Men present their gifts to the Christ-child (gold, frankincense and myrrh)  [Matthew 2:11]
• adoration of the Virgin and Christ-child by the shepherds, Joseph not present  [Luke 2:16]
• angels 
• heaven represented as a city  [Revelation 21:2; Revelation 21:10-27]
• Isaiah (not in biblical context); possible attributes: branch with leaves, saw, scroll or book 
• Moses (not in biblical context); possible attributes: rays of light or horns on his head, rod, Tables of the Law 
• Seraphim 
• the apostle John the Evangelist 
• the apostle Peter, first bishop of Rome 

John Newman, The Buildings of Wales: Glamorgan (London/Cardiff: 1995), p. 529.

Painton Cowen, A Guide to Stained Glass in Britain (London: Michael Joseph, 1985), p. 224.

Photo © Martin Crampin, Imaging the Bible in Wales