stainedglass

Stained glass refers to colored glass designed to form decorative panels, most commonly used as windows. Colors are produced by adding metallic oxides to glass during manufacture, or by painting the surface with vitreous enamel and firing it in a kiln. The assembled pieces are typically joined with lead came or copper foil and set in a rigid frame.

Traditional construction uses the lead came method, in which H-shaped lead cames hold individual glass pieces together. The copper foil technique, developed in the 19th century by Louis Comfort Tiffany, allows more intricate, flowing designs by wrapping each piece in copper foil before soldering. Glass panels may be reinforced, laminated, or backed by plaster, stone, or metal for stability, and are often illuminated from behind to enhance color and texture.

Historically, stained glass is most closely associated with medieval Europe. From the 11th to the 14th century, cathedrals such as Chartres and Sainte-Chapelle used large, luminous windows to convey biblical narratives and to fill interiors with colored light. Renaissance and later periods added painted details. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, revival movements and Louis Comfort Tiffany expanded technical possibilities and stylistic variety, including modern, abstract designs.

Today, stained glass remains common in churches and public buildings, but it is also used in secular architecture, art installations, and contemporary sculpture. Conservation emphasizes protection of original glass, pigments, and leading, as well as careful restoration of damaged sections to preserve historical and aesthetic value.