ADVENT CALENDAR 2022

Plexiglass lampshade painted with the Annunciation scene from the biblical story of Christ’s birth. — Lampshade panel illustrating the Annunciation to Mary, made in Bryn Athyn by Frank Snyder between 1937 and 1940. Glencairn Museum collection, Bryn Athyn, PA, 11.OP.02. For more about Snyder’s lampshades at Glencairn, see here.

1. LAMPSHADE WITH THE ANNUNCIATION TO MARY

This handcrafted lampshade panel illustrates the Annunciation to Mary. According to the Gospel of Luke, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus” (1:30–31).

The panel is one of six scenes from the Nativity narrative decorating a Christmas-themed lampshade in Glencairn’s Chapel. The plexiglass shade was commissioned by Raymond Pitcairn between 1937 and 1940; it was designed and painted by Francis (“Frank”) Eugene Snyder (1908–1995).

Visit us at Follow the Star: A 2022 Advent Calendar.