The Stained Glass Museum, Ely

[puddleshark]

Virgin and Christ Child, Margaret Traherne (1956).



The museum is actually inside Ely Cathedral, up 46 stone steps, with the stained glass displayed along a gallery overlooking the nave. It's not a large museum, but it is full of treasures...


De Vere Badge (c.1340-60).


Angel Musician (c.1440-50).





Reynard the Fox, Clement Heaton (c.1845-55).


Angel with Spear, designed by either NHJ Westlake or JM Allen, made by Lavers & Barraud. (1860s).


The Parable of the Lost Silver, James Tennant Lyon (1865). According to the display in the museum, "This panel has been a victim of 'green glass disease'. The glass between the arches and the roof has been replaced as the original glass had crystallized and crumbled away."

The mid 19th century was a period of great experimentation in stained glass manufacture, as glass-makers sought to emulate medieval techniques. But unfortunately a lot of the glass produced at this period has proven chemically unstable and prone to 'crizzling'.




The Duke of Clarence as St George, designed by John Lisle, made by C.E. Kemp & Co (1905).


The May Queen, Designed by George Parlby, made by Thomas Cowell (1900).


Girls Dancing, Thomas Cowell (1920s).


Diana the Huntress, Christopher Webb (c.1920-30). Originally from the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital. "Above every hospital bed was a stained glass panel sponsored by a group or society who selected the subject."


Angel Musicians, Edward Burne-Jones (1910-12). Er. Very Burne-Jones. That is all I have to say.




The Visitation, Margaret E. Aldrich Rope (1930).


The Prodigal Son, Moira Forsyth (1930).


St Joseph and the Angel, Wilhelmina Geddes (c.1920).


Take that, Burne-Jones.


St Wilfrid and St John Berchmans, Harry Clarke (1927).




Siren, Pauline Boty (c.1958-62).


Beauty Tricks, Pinkie Maclure (2017).


Unfortunately, the lovely Rococo designs of the 17th century Dutch stained glass did not come out well in my photos, so that period is missing from the selection above.

I also didn't take a lot of photos of the 19th century stained glass, since it's not my favourite period. It's ironic really that Ely Cathedral is full of 19th century stained glass. From a distance, it is fabulous and jewel-like. But when you take a closer look, it is very Victorian in taste; didactic, full of stolid figures. Nothing of mystery. I think modern stained glass has a better grasp of the numinous...


One of the stained glass windows at Ely Cathedral, by Clayton & Bell c.1865 . Image courtesy of Jules & Jenny, Wikimedia Commons.

Comments

[kaishin108]

Oh wow! I love the first one and the May Queen but they are all so impressive!

[puddleshark]

There are so many stunning examples of stained glass in the museum. It's a real treasure trove!

[zenigotchas]

The variety is just incredible!

[puddleshark]

Yes. For such a small museum, it has an amazing collection. Stunning examples of glass from all periods.

[heleninwales]

I like the Medieval angel. With all the feathers and extra wings it looks a little more Biblically accurate than the Burne-Jones and other Victorian angels.

[puddleshark]

Yes, I love those feathery-legged medieval angels!

[lamentables]

These are fabulous. I love how they are so identifiably of their period.
Ely cathedral was already on our To Do List, but you've moved it closer to the top!

[puddleshark]

Bearing in mind the limited display space, the museum's curators have done an amazing job choosing examples to represent the different periods of manufacture.

The stained glass museum wasn't quite what I expected, but it was wonderful. I'm so glad I got to visit.