Alf Webster not only designed windows but also produced a series of panels for the Byzantine Smoking Lounge in Anderson’s Royal Polytechnic Warehouse. The Royal Polytechnic Warehouse was situated 67-99 Argyle Street in Glasgow’s city centre and housed an array of goods and services including a hairdresser for both men and women, writing rooms and a restaurant. Perched on the top of the warehouse sat the Byzantine Smoking Lounge, a room solely used for smoking, drinking tea or coffee and conversation.

The panels in the Byzantine Smoking Lounge were installed in 1915. Designed with the theme of tobacco the panels depict scenes of ‘Eastern Magnificence’ including Egypt and Turkey featuring camels, traders and rich textiles. The male-only Smoking Lounge was officially opened on the 23^rd June 1915 and had its own entrance if patrons did not wish to walk through the warehouse to gain access. Webster used oils and gesso on a timber frame canvas to create the artworks which measure 138 x 295cm each.

The press at the time commented on the beauty of the panels as well as the untimely death of the artist. The Glasgow Hearld noted:

The historian will pay tribute to the presiding goddess “Nicotine” in her spiritual state: at the moment he is concerned with the allegory. That was designed by the late Alf Webster of Glasgow, who has given his life on the altar of patronism……A brilliant colourist naturally he sought Byzantine inspiration for the beautiful set of panels in which he has illustrated the theme of tobacco. He has painted the story of discovery and its landing on these shores in picturesque galleas [sic]. The panels suggest mosaics and they possess that brilliant yet swarthy richness which is the note of Eastern colour.  

– The Glasgow Herald, 5^th January 1916.

The panel shown above is now in the collection of the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. As part of the Mapping Websters Project the team are researching further into Websters artistic output. If you have any information about the panels, or the Royal Polytechnic, please get in touch via karen@webstersglasgow.com. The Mapping Websters Project is generously funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Glasgow City Heritage Trust and The Architectural Heritage Fund.