Description
Lulu White's Stained Leaded Glass Arched Transom, Salvaged from New Orleans Storyville Red Light District, 50" Wide x 26" Tall
This stunning, 50" wide fan light, featuring glue chip glass and faceted and cabochon "jewels", was once installed above the entrance to the historical Mahogany Hall, a notorious brothel in the New Orleans' red-light district, Storyville. Mahogany Hall was the most lavish of the brothels and parlors operated by Lulu White, an important businesswoman in the district. Calling herself the “Diamond Queen,” Lulu White and the address of her bordello at 235 Basin Street are shown in the design of the window in brilliant, ruby red cabochon beads.
The brothel was in operation between 1897 to 1917, the post-Civil War period considered the Gilded Age or Reconstruction era; a time of rapid economic growth and soaring prosperity in the United States. Mahogany Hall employed many popular women featured in the "Blue Books", a series of guide books that listed the houses, their inhabitants and the décor of each house. The women included Victoria Hall, Emma Sears, Clara Miller, Estelle Russell, Sadie Reed and Sadie Levy. Lulu White advertised these women as having beautiful figures and a gift from nature.
Mahogany Hall was originally called the Hall of Mirrors and was built of solid marble with a stained glass fan window over the entrance door. It had four floors, five different parlors and fifteen bedrooms with attached bathrooms. The rooms were furnished with chandeliers, potted ferns, and elegant furniture. The house was steam-heated, and each bathroom was supplied with hot and cold water. The interiors of the rooms of Mahogany Hall filled the ads in Blue Books and other advertising pamphlets of the period." Condition: Good salvaged condition with wear consistent with age. A few cracked pieces of glass are present in areas along lower border. The green piece of glass next to "E" is cracked. Panel has slight, easily fixable, bow. Frame is not original. Weight: 27 lbs.
Item Measurements: 49.5(L) x 5.5(W) x 26(H) .
The brothel was in operation between 1897 to 1917, the post-Civil War period considered the Gilded Age or Reconstruction era; a time of rapid economic growth and soaring prosperity in the United States. Mahogany Hall employed many popular women featured in the "Blue Books", a series of guide books that listed the houses, their inhabitants and the décor of each house. The women included Victoria Hall, Emma Sears, Clara Miller, Estelle Russell, Sadie Reed and Sadie Levy. Lulu White advertised these women as having beautiful figures and a gift from nature.
Mahogany Hall was originally called the Hall of Mirrors and was built of solid marble with a stained glass fan window over the entrance door. It had four floors, five different parlors and fifteen bedrooms with attached bathrooms. The rooms were furnished with chandeliers, potted ferns, and elegant furniture. The house was steam-heated, and each bathroom was supplied with hot and cold water. The interiors of the rooms of Mahogany Hall filled the ads in Blue Books and other advertising pamphlets of the period." Condition: Good salvaged condition with wear consistent with age. A few cracked pieces of glass are present in areas along lower border. The green piece of glass next to "E" is cracked. Panel has slight, easily fixable, bow. Frame is not original. Weight: 27 lbs.
Item Measurements: 49.5(L) x 5.5(W) x 26(H) .
