Fragment
ca. 1420-1440 (made)
Place of origin |
This small pane of decorated glass most likely formed part of the tracery lights of a narrative window in a church. The image is of a male saint holding a staff and a book and seated on a pinnacled throne. It may represent Christ Enthroned, which would have been accompanied by an adjacent tracery light depicting the Crowned Virgin Mary, or it may be a representation of God the Father. It is simply painted in a brownish-black pigment and a lemony-yellow silver stain. The pieces of glass to the figure's left are later replacement pieces.
This pane of glass was given to the Museum by a collector based in Stamford in Lincolnshire. The style of painting is similar to those identified as the workshop of John Thornton, stained glass maker based in Coventry. Thornton's workshop was undoubtedly large, with many former apprentices taking up work in the Midlands. This pane of glass may have been painted by someone trained in Coventry. Although we do not know where this pane originated, it is quite possible it comes from one of the churches in Stamford. The leading family in Stamford in the 15th century were the Brownes. John Browne and his son William were aldermen and Merchants of the Staple of Calais. Both father and son are known to have commissioned stained glass for All Saints Church and for their Hospital foundation. Additionally, some 15th century glass survives in the churches of St John the Baptist and in St Martin’s. The style of painting on this pane bears a resemblance to that surviving in Stamford.
This pane of glass was given to the Museum by a collector based in Stamford in Lincolnshire. The style of painting is similar to those identified as the workshop of John Thornton, stained glass maker based in Coventry. Thornton's workshop was undoubtedly large, with many former apprentices taking up work in the Midlands. This pane of glass may have been painted by someone trained in Coventry. Although we do not know where this pane originated, it is quite possible it comes from one of the churches in Stamford. The leading family in Stamford in the 15th century were the Brownes. John Browne and his son William were aldermen and Merchants of the Staple of Calais. Both father and son are known to have commissioned stained glass for All Saints Church and for their Hospital foundation. Additionally, some 15th century glass survives in the churches of St John the Baptist and in St Martin’s. The style of painting on this pane bears a resemblance to that surviving in Stamford.
Object details
Category | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Stained glass |
Brief description | Fragment of clear glass painted in brown pigment and silver stain with an image of a saint seated on a pinnacled throne; a book in his left hand, a staff in his right. English, c.1420-1440. |
Physical description | Panel. A saint, seated on a pinnacled throne. A book in his left hand, a staff in his right. The panel completed on the right by fragments of foliage and architecture. Brownish-black. Silver-yellow stain. |
Dimensions |
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Object history | Given by George Oates, draper, Stamford, Lincolnshire |
Summary | This small pane of decorated glass most likely formed part of the tracery lights of a narrative window in a church. The image is of a male saint holding a staff and a book and seated on a pinnacled throne. It may represent Christ Enthroned, which would have been accompanied by an adjacent tracery light depicting the Crowned Virgin Mary, or it may be a representation of God the Father. It is simply painted in a brownish-black pigment and a lemony-yellow silver stain. The pieces of glass to the figure's left are later replacement pieces. This pane of glass was given to the Museum by a collector based in Stamford in Lincolnshire. The style of painting is similar to those identified as the workshop of John Thornton, stained glass maker based in Coventry. Thornton's workshop was undoubtedly large, with many former apprentices taking up work in the Midlands. This pane of glass may have been painted by someone trained in Coventry. Although we do not know where this pane originated, it is quite possible it comes from one of the churches in Stamford. The leading family in Stamford in the 15th century were the Brownes. John Browne and his son William were aldermen and Merchants of the Staple of Calais. Both father and son are known to have commissioned stained glass for All Saints Church and for their Hospital foundation. Additionally, some 15th century glass survives in the churches of St John the Baptist and in St Martin’s. The style of painting on this pane bears a resemblance to that surviving in Stamford. |
Collection | |
Accession number | C.62-1926 |
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Record created | June 2, 1998 |
Record URL |
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