This stained glass window, designed by Henry Holiday and made by James Powell & Sons (Whitefriars Glass) in 1891, depicts two towering figures of the Old Testament—Joshua and Solomon—and stands as a complete meditation on divine strength and wisdom. Executed with the characteristic refinement of the late Victorian period, the window combines narrative clarity with symbolic depth, translating Scripture into radiant colour and form.

On the left, Joshua, the warrior and successor to Moses, is shown in gleaming golden armour, trumpet raised and shield in hand, recalling the moment of the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6). His stance, taut with controlled energy, embodies obedience, courage, and victory through faith. The intricate fish-scale pattern of his armour and the dynamic movement of his cloak demonstrate Holiday’s mastery of design and Powell’s exceptional craftsmanship in glass painting and leadwork.

On the right, Solomon, king of Israel and builder of the Temple, is portrayed as a figure of majesty and contemplation. Clad in robes of gold and ivory, crowned and bearded, he raises his hands in prayer or blessing. His calm dignity contrasts with Joshua’s martial vigor, suggesting the union of active and contemplative virtue—the strength to conquer and the wisdom to govern.

The composition is unified by architectural tracery and floral ornament, framing both figures within a harmony of colour and light. Together, Joshua and Solomon embody the twin ideals of divine leadership: the courage to act and the discernment to rule. In this work, Holiday and Powell & Sons achieve a synthesis of biblical narrative, spiritual meaning, and artistic beauty—an enduring testament to the moral and aesthetic vision of late nineteenth-century ecclesiastical art.