WHite Chapel Cemetery pt.2

Published January 9, 2008

Back to White Chapel Cemetery – beginning with the chapel itself, constructed in 1929.

Buried and entombed here are famous folks such as John DeLorean and the incomparable Albert Kahn.

Rear view

Above the door is the Egyptian Art Deco bas relief by female sculptor (rare for that era or any for that matter) Hester Bremer

The hunting lion is my favorite section of the bas relief

The architectural treatments are understated, and could easily be missed at first glance

The corner angels are stunning

The “Window of Destiny” – From the White Chapel website: “symbolic of the eternal mystery of human life. The three center panels show the Three Fates—Clothe, who spun the thread of life; Lachesis, who took the strand and fixed its length; and Atropos, who cut it with her shears. Around these central figures are the Zodiac signs.”

Inside ? Not too shabby.

One more set tomorrow and we leave White Chapel.

6 Responses to WHite Chapel Cemetery pt.2

Tony T on January 28, 2008 at 5:39 pm

Thanks for highlighting a great cemetery. My grandparents are buried there and there’s also a great monument to the Detroit Polar Bears (http://info.detnews.com/history/story/index.cfm?id=178&category=life).

Too bad I-75 goes right by it. Kind of unnerving.
DFUNK on January 9, 2008 at 9:01 pm

Hahahahahha! 420 – The “International Time” as it were. Exxxxxxxcellent.

I was just on that stretch of highway, but it was dark so I didnt catch that. I’ll keep an eye out – Im only aware of the orange paint people (theyve had like, 4 different names already)
Nathan on January 9, 2008 at 6:49 pm

JUVENILE COMMENT ALERT

While visiting the White Chapel Moseleum did you notice the posted signs stating that it closed at 4:20?

——

UNRELATED NOTE

I was driving today on I-94 and noticed a house that reminded me of the Orange Houses. On the north side of I-94 between I-96 and Warren Ave. I saw a half burnt out house that someone had somehow affixed orange construction barrels to the side of the house. Jutting out from the side of the house in a vertical line were about five orange construction barrels. Have you seen this or know anything about this project?
dFUNK on January 9, 2008 at 2:58 pm

Thanks gentlemen, means all that much more coming from you guyz.

I double checked the photo of the makers mark on the jesus statue, and it is “b. zuckermann” with two “n”s. (i corrected it)

I wish some of these photos were much sharper, but the freakin wind was just killer yesterday !!! Ill be going back in nicer weather this summer for proper photos.

And of course Id be happy to contribute to anything you are working. Flickr is probably your best bet. I too find the zodiacal influence of funerary arts intriguing. The Norse bronze was a pleasant surprise too. Its wonderful that the whole place is not dominated by the christian theme.
einar Einarsson Kvaran on January 9, 2008 at 2:27 pm

Masterful, as always. I am trying to put together something (maybe on flickr, but I am always open to suggestion) something on the Zodiac in architectural sculpture or perhaps just sculpture in general. I hope that you will consider contributing if/when it does come about. eeeeeek
AIW on January 9, 2008 at 11:36 am

Nice sets… That metalwork is mind blowing.