STAINED GLASS

HISTORY

Stained glass has origins dating back more than a thousand years. Excavated fragments of the oldest recorded stained glass window make up a roundel in the Saxon chancel of St Paul’s church in Monkwearmouth on the north bank of the River Wear. These fragments date from the 7th Century AD.

Stained glass became popular in medieval times where it was widely used in churches and cathedrals as a monument to God. It also provided pictorial instruction for the illiterate. Coloured glass was originally formed by applying a stain to the surface of the glass but it was soon discovered that adding various metals and minerals to molten glass could create a range of coloured glass known today as ‘cathedral glass’.

Following the discovery that flat sheets of glass could be produced by blowing a cylinder of molten glass, cutting down its length and flattening it out, the use of stained glass expanded. The Renaissance period saw it used extensively in the building of grand cathedrals across Europe between the 14th and 17th centuries and gradually, clear leaded glass windows began to appear in some secular buildings. Towards the end of the 17th century the process of producing plate glass was developed in France, initially for making mirrors.

The early 19th century saw stained glass being used more widely outside of the church setting and the development of softer colours, more suited to domestic situations, could be seen. By the late 19th century Victorian stained glass was being used widely in private dwellings.

Beginning around 1890, the Art Nouveau period saw the American introduction of opalescent glass, significantly increasing the variety of glass available to artists. Louis Tiffany extensively used the copper foil technique during this period to create intricately detailed lampshades and windows. Stained glass continued its popularity into the Art Deco period with stylised designs incorporated into the distinctive architecture of the time.

Stained glass has gone through many changes during the last 500 years with the introduction of glass paints, stains and enamels as well as new glassmaking methods, but it is an art that is still largely dependent on the skills and techniques used throughout its long history. The interpretation of its use however continues to expand from its religious origins into the secular art world, to be enjoyed by all sections of society.

TECHNIQUES

Stained glass panels generally use one of two main construction techniques.

Lead
Leaded lights are made by cutting clear or coloured glass pieces and fitting them into a frame of lead came. The lead is then soldered at each junction on both sides of the panel and cement is pushed under the lead flanges to make the panel more rigid and weatherproof. See Creating a leaded panel.

Tiffany (or copper foil)
Tiffany work involves wrapping each piece of glass in a thin strip of copper foil. This then enables the pieces of glass to be soldered together with a bead of solder. See Creating a tiffany panel.

Either of these techniques can include elements of painted (stained) glass, fused glass and sandblasting, or the addition of lenses, roundels, glass nuggets or stones such as agate to give texture and depth. They can also be combined with natural materials such as wood and stone in sculptural pieces.

The two techniques are not mutually exclusive. Fine detail on a panel may be created in tiffany with the rest of the panel being leaded. Tiffany is not generally used for external glazing however as it is not as weather tight as leading.