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Stained Glass & Mosaics

Very old stained glass window

16 years ago

Hi, I have a 400 yr old stained glass 'window' from a church - I say that because it was originally in pieces of varying sizes at a flea mkt and I put some of them together (or had it done actually) to make a piece of about 30" x 20", with a few separates left over (since given to friends). It's great chunky stuff, and beautiful colors, but the lead is very soft and the people who put it together for me used thin iron strips to frame it. If I were to hold it up, try to hang it or anything (though it can be hung by the wire hooked to the iron they put in), it wouldn't hold up very well at all. I thought about a light table to display it, but wonder if anyone else has any ideas or comments. Thanks!

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Comments (9)

ladyronnie
16 years ago
Can we see a picture? Sounds wonderful. FOUR HUNDRED YEARS?? Where from?
curbdiver1954
16 years ago
I bet it is fabulous!!! Please post a pic so we can all drool over it (oh, and advise if we can - LOL)!

Pat
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madhabitz
16 years ago
Gads, that must be something to see. I bet just the glass pieces alone are fascinating.

Nancy
lucy
Original Author
16 years ago
Oh heck, I was afraid of that :-). They were from a window in a church in Montreal (I've had them 30+ yrs) but had been broken up in sections when I got them. I don't have a digicam, cell phone or anything right now (and I just moved on Friday so everything's upside down anyhow), but I'll see if I can get someone to snap them soon so maybe I can them/it in here. The colors are reds, blues, yellows and others, but they're bright, not the 'tasteful' ones you might see today (don't you hate those flat pebbly things they have now?).
lucy
Original Author
16 years ago
Uh.. the missing word is 'scan', sorry!
shellybelly26
16 years ago
WOW cant wait to see the pics it sounds very interesting I would think it would do good as a table though i havent the foggiest clue of where to begin on a project like that unles you put it between 2 sheets of glass to protect it
bamasusanna
16 years ago
Yep, I would have to see it. Sounds like it was framed with zinc came perhaps. Was it a stained glass shop that did it for you?
lucy
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, a good one in Toronto.
bamasusanna
16 years ago
I wouldn't worry about hanging it then. If it is a reputable glass shop, they should know what they are doing.
Lead is actually pretty strong, plus there is putty under the lead supporting the glass. Also, the lead is soldered into the frame too isn't it?
I would say the original 400 yr old window was framed with lead also. So I'm sure it will hold up well for you!

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