The Historic Marshall Fields Building and Its Tiffany Ceiling

The Marshall Fields building which now houses Macy's on State Street in downtown Chicago, is the second largest department store in the world, or at least it was, the twelve floor building is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

When we entered the store, Christmas greenery and red ornaments floated above our heads, and down the red carpeted main isle to the opposite side of the store.

Giant red ornaments are suspended in the center of the building on the main floor, looking up toward the fifth floor you see the magnificent Tiffany ceiling.

The ceiling was installed in 1907.

It contains 1.6 million pieces of iridescent glass

called Favrile glass made by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Favrile glass was patented in 1894 and produced in 1896.

Favrile glass has a very distinctive coloring.

The color is ingrained in the Favrile glass. 

This ceiling is the first and largest ceiling ever built in Farvile glass.

Above this stunning ceiling on the seventh floor is the Walnut Room where we dined on Mrs. Hering's famous Chicken Pot Pie.

On tomorrows post, I will show you the Great Tree inside the Walnut Room and what we ate.

Did anyone watch the program Mr. Selfridge which appeared on PBS Masterpiece Theater?  In 1887, Harry Gordon Selfridge was appointed to lead Marshall Fields Department store. Under the leadership of Mr. Selfridge the retail store, Marshall Fields evolved into a modern department store.

While watching the PBS show Mr. Selfridge, I could recognize the similarities of the floor plan from the Chicago Marshall Fields store.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by.