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Not currently on display at the V&A

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.


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
  • Height: 57.5cm
  • Width: 41.6cm
unframed composite panel
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 createdJune 2, 1998
Record URL
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