Designs for [Gas?] Lights for a Church 1875 - 1885

This drawing presents designs for gaslights for a church, created by Richardson Slade & Co. Notice the striking combination of the cross within a sphere, an ancient symbol of cosmic totality and spiritual unity. The cross, of course, is central to Christian iconography, representing sacrifice, redemption, and the intersection of the divine and earthly realms. Yet, the sphere evokes the cosmos, the universe in its boundless expanse. This synthesis reminds us of similar motifs from antiquity, where the orb represented dominion and the heavens. Think of the Roman emperors depicted with globus cruciger, symbols of their universal power. The visual tension between these forms creates a powerful emotional pull, evoking a sense of awe and reverence. Through such symbols, we are reminded that history is never linear, but rather a constant return, a cyclical dance of images and meanings.