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 -
Antique Doors Antiques -> Architectural and Garden -> Doors Antique doors have much to offer the private collector and many of these, depending on the materials used, and the designer may actually be worth quite a lot of money. Whether you are looking for a collectible that you can put to good...... - Antique Mirrors Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Mirrors Antique mirrors are a highly collectible item, with many of the frames boasting decorative carving and detail much like elaborate, wooden picture frames of old. A mirror itself is little more than glass covering a reflective surface and not very impressive—many of us carry......
- Art Deco Furniture Antiques -> Periods and Styles -> Art Deco Art deco furniture antiques are highly sought after and are often very unique pieces. If you love this time period, or if you are simply looking for furniture that transcends the every day mundane design, art deco furniture is the perfect choice.......
-
Gothic Art Antiques -> Decorative-Arts Gothic art refers to any art, whether it’s a painting, a sculpture, or some other medium, created from about the mid-12th century through the end of the 14th century. Art was still created over the next century that’s often called International Gothic, but this type of art...... -
Collecting Antique Photography It may be difficult for you to understand why anyone would want to give away or to sell their family photographs, but just as there are people that are willing to sell their family photography, there are also people out there who are interested in buying up these old antique......
Related Websites -
How to Stop Emotional Eating For many of us, it is a natural reaction to turn to food when we are upset, happy, sad or depressed. Over time, this reaction becomes a learned activity that we resort to without even realizing it. Whether your parents used food rewards when you were growing up or...... - Miniature Collectibles Collectibles -> Decorative Collectibles -> Miniatures When it comes to a delightful collectible that won’t take up a lot of space, miniature collectibles are the ideal answer. These tiny little works of art require a great deal of craftsmanship and many of them feature amazingly lifelike details. You can find......
- 10 Key Things to Look for in a Good Web Designer The pace of business today is positively supersonic. There doesn't seem to be enough time for anything anymore, and businesses of all sizes are working harder and faster all the time. It's important to work smarter, too. And that means when you have to choose an important vendor for an......
- Figuring return on investment Usually when I buy things, I buy them because they are things that I would buy anyway, but sometimes it's nice to consider the possible return on your investment before making a purchase. (Especially if you're trying to decide which type of household project to do first.) For example, we......
-
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......
