Antiques -> Architectural and Garden -> Stained Glass Windows-> Pre-1900
Stained glass windows are more than just functional windows, they are works of art that can express exalted meanings or simply beautify a room. When you are shopping for antique stained glass, it’s important to understand the amount of time that went into each piece. Remember, the little imperfections that are commonly present on most stained glass windows are part of their charm and in many cases, they may actually increase the value.
The first step made by the designer is to come up with the actual design for the stained glass window. This was typically done on paper and the artist may try several different designs until they find one that works right. The colors that will be used for the window are usually determined at this phase as well. Most concept drawings for stained glass windows are nearly as beautiful as the windows themselves.
Once the artist had the design and concept ready for their stained glass window, they would need to select the glass. This process was the most time consuming and some artists would spend months trying to find just the right piece. Once the glass had been found, the next step was to start cutting it into the correct sized pieces that would later be assembled together into the window.
The mosaic of glass pieces was very important for a stained glass window. They had to be fit precisely so that they could later be soldered together. Each piece would be individually hand painted and the designer would then lay each piece out in the final design.
Once this was completed, the stained glass window could then be soldered together. Most often lead was used as a part of this process and to this day, most stained glass windows do contain lead. The soldering was an intricate process and more times than not, there would be small imperfections. This was often considered to be an important part of the process and although perfection was usually sought, it would be centuries before this could be attained.
Even though today’s stained glass windows that are assembled by machines may be perfect, they lack that special charm that antique windows have. When you are shopping for stained glass windows that are antiques, think for a minute about the hard work that went into creating that work of art. Whether it is a simple floral design or an intricate religious piece, stained glass windows are definitely keepsakes whether you hang them on the wall or actually install them into a window.
The next time you come across a stained glass window, think about purchasing it to preserve this form of artwork. They can beautify any home, and there is nothing quite like these unique works of art. They make wonderful conversation pieces and can be used just about anywhere in the home.
It is a lot of fun to collect many different stained glass windows and to see if you can end up finding the same designer’s work again.
Originally posted 2008-09-01 05:00:22. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Online Antiques Auctions According purely to definition, antiques are described as being any object that has a collectible value and that is more than 100 years in age. There are a number of different antiques auction websites that are designed to sell these types of antique items online. Some of these websites specialize...... -
Where and How to Buy Antique Furniture Unless you are shopping around in a museum, it may be difficult to buy antique furniture dated before the 16th century. Collectors are generally only able to obtain pieces of furniture from the 1485 to 1600 Tudor Period and onwards, and even the furniture selection from this period is relatively...... -
Tiffany Lamps Antiques -> Decorative Arts Tiffany lamps offer collectors a chance not only to find something valuable but also a collector’s piece that is functional and beautiful. If you are looking for a piece that will enhance your home as well as your bottom line, then this is definitely a collectible...... -
Curio Cabinet Dealers -> Furniture -> Cabinets-Armoires-Cupboards A curio cabinet is a piece of furniture that encompasses so many different varieties that it's hard to sum up in a short space. The thing each one has in common is that it allows for “curios” to be displayed. Knick-knacks, trinkets, collectibles and other...... - Antique Goblet Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Stemware How do you tell an antique goblet from an antique cup or mug? Goblets are stemware, with the earliest goblets made from earthenware and then expanding to other stronger materials as the years passed. The use of goblets pre-dates the Roman Empire, though the......
Related Websites -
How to Install a Window Air Conditioner the Right Way As summer approaches, those of us without central air are getting ready to go through the annual ritual of installing our window air conditioners. However, were you aware that a bad installation can actually raise your electricity costs and make it harder to say cool? Here are some tips to...... -
Rookie and Beginner Woodwork Projects Just like with many other types of jobs, when it comes to woodwork projects, planning is of the utmost level of importance. Cutting wood and working with wood is always going to demand that you utilize careful planning and a step by step approach toward reaching the ultimate goal for...... -
Screws and Screwdrivers 104 Reusing and Adapting Screws Renew a Screw - When you remove and reseat a Phillips head or slotted screw, the result is often a slot that has become damaged, especially when the screwdriver blade did not fit into the slot properly in the first place. If you do not have...... -
Weakend: Highway Driving Tips From The Weakonomist I mentioned in the last Weakend that I'd be doing some traveling over the next month. Since way back when I started college I've acquired thousands of highway miles. Going to and from home, visiting The Sheconomist (different schools freshmen year), road trips, weddings, job hunting, and vacations are...... -
How to Install Bathroom Tile Your choice of bathroom tile is extremely important for establishing the décor of your bathroom. However, no matter what fancy pattern and color scheme you choose, it won’t look good unless it’s installed properly. It can cost a fortune to have a contracted install bathroom tile for you, so you......
