Antique Stained Glass Windows: Collecting Antique Glass, Collectibles And Antique Stores

From the outside, there is usually nothing special about them: bland colors, unidentifiable images, boring patterns. But from the inside, with the help of some sunlight, antique stained glass windows come alive, in breathtaking designs, exploding colors and intricate patterns. With the art of making stained glass going back to the 10th century, antique stained glass windows span many different eras of history, countries of origin and styles of construction, making collecting them an art in and of itself. Antique stained glass windows are distinctly beautiful works of art that bring the colors and designs of history alive in any space in which they shine.

Antique stained glass windows are considered prized collectibles in the antique market. Styles and designs of windows are particular to the time period or age of the piece, region of origin, quality of construction, place of installment and images depicted. Most people know antique stained glass windows as those massive Biblical story windows from cathedrals and churches; however, stained glass has long been a desired enhancement in homes, libraries and businesses throughout history. Today, antique stores and antique dealers trade stained glass collectibles from all periods including Victorian, Edwardian, French and Continental.

The art of crafting antique stained glass windows developed in 10th century Europe, primarily in Christian monasteries. The traditional method involves coloring molten glass as it heats in clay pots, adding different metallic oxides to produce a variety of basic colors. This ‘pot glass' was then blown into a cylindrical shape of wall or frame thickness and cut or split to produce the smaller pieces that went into the window design. The pieces were then assembled according to a miniature design known as a vidimus, with more intricate details such as hair, faces and text painted onto the glass later. As time has progressed, the art form of antique stained glass windows has as well, making them fascinating and historically relevant pieces in addition to being beautiful.

Collecting stained glass windows requires an in-depth knowledge of history, craft and the current market. Collectors trace pieces back to the materials used, style of construction, even the town in which the antique stained glass windows were created. Windows can be small and decorative or massive, intricate and priceless. Whether they convey a story from the Bible or not, all antique stained glass windows have a story to tell about how and when they were constructed. It is vitally important in collecting stained glass to research the history of the craft and the value of such unique artistic creations.

Whether they frame a doorway in a house or shimmer above the altar in a giant cathedral, antique stained glass windows beautify any space in which they are installed. The stories they tell visually and historically add to the invaluable quality they possess. Researching, pricing, purchasing and installing antique stained glass windows takes knowledge and patience, but the end result is almost always an awesome and unique work of art.


Sources:
"Antique Stained Glass Windows." Trocadero.com. 2007. Timeless Classic Elegance.com. 3 Aug. 2007. http://www.trocadero.com/eserafini/.

"Stained Glass." Wikipedia. 1 Aug. 2007. Wikimedia Foundation Inc. 3 Aug. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stained_glass.

"About Us." 2007. Vitraux.co.uk. 3 Aug. 2007. http://www.vitraux.co.uk/.