The Michelin automobile tyre company re-launched the UK national search for the three gorgeous stained glass panels, which decorated the front and sides of Michelin House, 81 Fulham Rd, London, before World War II started. To keep them safe during the possible bombing, in 1939 the company removed the colorful windows and took them to the basements of its factory in Stoke-on-Trent, but after the war the panels disappeared and haven’t been found since that time.
Image Courtesy: www.michelinonline.co.uk
The UK office of the company is going to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Chelsea building in early 2011, and it hopes to locate the panels by that time. The hunt was launched in 1948, and the last time they heard about the windows was in the 60’s, but the company didn’t manage to retrieve its art deco heritage. Replicas of the original panels were made in 1985 using old black and white photographs, so now we can see how they actually looked. The Michelin bosses hope that they will find people who know where the panels (or their parts) are stored and promise to give amnesty to those who will assist in getting the windows back.
Image Courtesy: www.michelinonline.co.uk
The company is going to invite the person, whose information will help locate the art pieces, to the honorable event to be hosted in January at Michelin House and feature all 140 of the current Michelin-starred chefs.
Image Courtesy: www.michelinonline.co.uk
“We believe the moment is right to appeal to the public to help unravel this mystery and hopefully have the windows returned in time for the centenary celebrations in January,” commented Peter Snelling, Michelin’s UK’s spokesman.