Topic: Stained glass window pattern drawings

[david31162]

Have you ever had the warning/instruction to sort your collection out and get rid of the rubbish? I must admit after a recent full car load of acquisitions space is at a premium in my house. This led to a hunt for things to sell or throw out in search of space. In doing so I re-found these bought probably 10 or more years ago ..I loved them but didnt know what to do with them at the time. Still don't! Any suggestions? Some are too far gone but 2 or 3 seem almost worth while. Framing these would be expenstive the largest is 160 X 46 cm
Does any information to help . I'd love to know who made them or where the church is. A long shot I know, I've been looking for Longinus windows for ages (seen many).
It is the Moses dawing that I love, no probably not Burne-Jones but still great style to it.
Any information, advice welcome(hopefully kinder than my wife's suggestion-the bin).
Thank you ,
David
http://www.photobox.co.uk/album/135139180

[glassobsessed]

Don't throw them away they are lovely! They are bound to be of interest to someone, is there a national society of stained glass window makers/restorers? Stained glass window archives anywhere? They must be worth preserving or restoring.

If you can't find a more suitable home for them think of me.

John.

[glassobsessed]

There is a British Society of master Glass Painters, having trouble accessing their website.

English Heritage might be interested, Victorian Society.

[Anne]

Stained Glass Museum at Ely would be my starting point...
http://www.stainedglassmuseum.com/ - other museums have collections as well. I know my local museum at Lancaster has a collection of these cartoons (that's what they are called apparently) from the 2 or 3 Lancaster stained glass companies. Yours are lovely, please don't bin them!!!

Edited to add: there's a page on St Longinus here... http://www.catholic-saints.info/patron-saints/saint-longinus.htm - he's the chap on the left of your first photo I guess...

[david31162]

Thank you Anne and John, Don't worry, I won't throw them out. I'll have to get a couple of them framed. Ive found a frame large enough for St Longinus.
Thanks for the recommendations of places to ask. I had forgotten all about Ely . I'm sure I've been to a stained glass exhibition there long ago.
David

[Frank]

Best sold via a specialist auction sale and unframed to avoid damage, can fetch very large sums - especially as you have a collection.

[glassobsessed]

I was a picture framer for many years, working to a very high standard. Properly framed, an item should not be damaged at all, there are a variety of techniques that can be used for different media and could help greatly with conservation. Unfortunately the majority of framers I have encountered have not had more than the most basic training and use poor materials and techniques. The process is skilled, time consuming and inevitably expensive if done to a high standard, but well worth the effort if you want something to look it's best.

John.

[Frank]

Indeed, but auction houses are none to careful with frames on the assumption that buyer will reframe anyway. Best to put the effort into a rigid folder for each drawing separately, suitably lined with appropriate material to avoid damage with handling which you sound well able to handle

Tracking the artist will help, lack of colour means they probably will not go to giddy heights but is at least worth getting a good auctioneer to give an estimate. Totally unsuitable for on-line auctions. Check with any stained glass society for name and suggestions for auction house..

[david31162]

Thank you Frank and John,
I think I may keep one but I will put the others into auction as you suggest. I'll certainly need to find some way to present and protect them as they are rolled up and in danger of fragmenting further.
Thanks again,
David