THE HISTORY OF STAINED GLASS

Although the true origins of Stained Glass may have been lost to time and tall tales, one commonly known legend of the beginnings of this craft tells of shipwrecked sailors who accidentally discovered Stained Glass by setting a fire that melted the sand and blocks of soda from their cargo into hardened glass.  Others point to the Egyptian or Mesopotamian potters as the true creators of Stained Glass.  

Whatever the true beginnings might be, it is safe to sat that Stained Glass has been a part of our planet's history and culture for thousands of years, including Romans glazed glass windows in the first century, England's St. Paul's Monastery (founded in 7th century) which housed one of the first examples of multi-colored glass windows, then developing through the Gothic and Renaissance periods and resurging into today's decorative marketplace.

During the the nineteenth century, William Gibson began one of the first recorded glass businesses in the U.S. Although the business did not last, Gibson often promoted himself as the "father of glass painting" in the United States.   Despite this proclamation, there are many who believe that it was actually the Bolton family, originally from England, who truly began the rebirth of the Stained Glass industry in America.  

In the middle of that century,  several important Stained Glass studios were established that would solidify the rebirth of the Stained Glass industry, including those established by Henry Sharp, Henry Belcher, Joseph and Richard Lamb and (returning to the field) William Gibson.

Meanwhile, in 1857, a young William Morris took part in the painting of the Oxford Union frescoes which depict King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. True to his character as an artist, Morris believed that he could not accurately portray knights in armor unless he had experienced the feeling of wearing armor himself.  To this end, he had a suit designed by an Oxford blacksmith, which he wore to a dinner party (some stories tell of Morris getting his head stuck in the helmet).  The firm of Morris, Marshall and Faulkner was founded in 1861. While the firm was a general decor and arts based company, Stained Glass was a significant part of their business. This firm influenced many of the days Stained Glass designers, and several studios grew out of the demand from Morris' design firm. 

In 1894, Tiffany glass was first seen in Paris when S. (Siegfried) Bing first exhibited oriental arts and ceramics. Bing was a key figure in the history of decorative arts. His Salon de l'Art Nouveau in Paris gave name to the movement.   The Tiffany Glass Company, which employed hundreds of people and produced thousands of windows, is the largest studio from those times is still the best known today:  The Tiffany Glass company inspired generations of Stained Glass artists, and Tiffany Stained Glass has become a style of it's own.  

The 1930s and 1940s brought the depression, and - with it - a diminished demand for building and new stained glass. However, following World War II, a renewed demand for stained glass was created by an influx of books and magazines showing the contemporary European churches. Architects organized European Church tours, bringing American's into these stunning buildings in order to take pictures and slides... which they showed upon their return. 

American studios began to make windows in new techniques: etched, sandblasted, laminated, gemmaux, fused, plastic, gold leaf overlay, beveled and the immediately popular dalle de verre. 

The social changes of the 1960s slowed the church building boom, but stained glass easily found a home in the secular world again through the redevelopment and redesign of the beatniks and hippies, particularly those in San Francisco, who loved bright colors and whose love of bring colors led to their desire to repair and reinstall the original Stained Glass windows in the older homes they inhabited. 

This change soon led to another, very significant change in the history of stained glass.  Before this period, the art of Stained Glass craftsmanship was always passed down from mentor to apprentice.  However, the sudden increase in demand led to people who had only recently mastered the technique themselves sharing their knowledge with others... turning Stained Glass art into a popular hobby.  Although many hobbyists remained rudimentary in their skills and projects, the entire Stained Glass industry changed from a highly specialized to a widely practiced disciple.  

Interest also developed in repair and restoration. Leaded skylights in hotels and railroad stations that had long since been covered and painted over were cleaned and repaired, exposing their original glory.   

Stained Glass became collectible again, and soon became a decorative accent and no longer an aspect of architecture.  

Stained Glass lamps, windows, panels, decorative accents and "suncatchers" are still a highly sought-after design element, as they provide a mixture of light, color, style and artistic flair that is available in few other mediums.