The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-11-17
stained-Glass Making.
n the Ne,o York Erenino Post.

Stained or colored glass, arranged in
figures or designs more or less elaborate,
has been for centuries employed in the
decoration and establishment Of church
windows. Many of the designs in Euro
pean churches and cathedrals are the daily
admiration of tourists.
Formerly this work of decoration was
confined to the use of painted glass, or the
designs were cut out of different colored
glass, the pieces being fastened in their
places by the use of molten lead poured
into the crevices between them. The
colors were not blended, and the contrasts
of color were often harsh Later the glass
was painted in order to soften this harsh
ness and to produce effects that could not
be obtained by the use of simple colored
glass.
Within the last half century the art of
using stained glass for decorative purposes
has made rapid advancement, and in this
country especially, great improvements have
been made. Two well known American
artists have contributed in no small meas
ure to this improvement, by introducing an
entirely new plan of treating the "leading
used to hold the pieces of glass in position.
Heretofore the use of the lead casing was
avoided as much as possible, but by the
new method it is made part of the deco
ration. The lead is used in floral pieces to
form the stem or petals of the plant, and
in other designs to mark out the lines of
the figure represented. The lead tracing
is varied in width according to the design,
broad lines being used when the stem or
branches of flower or vine are represent
ed, and very narrow lines, simply tracings,
being employed for marking the outlines
of draperies, the petals of flowers, etc. In
draperies, these light lines are often gilded
or painted.
Fifty years ago there was probably not
one artist in this country who did decora-
tive work of this kind, certainly not one
who made it a special business, while to-
day there are from 80 to 100 designers
and manufacturers of stained glass windows.
Much of the work, however, is of cheap
order. and is used in the decoration of the
poorer class of apartment-houses, restaur-
ants, and drinking-shops. There are ten
or fifteen frst-class designers in the coun-
try, whose product will compare very IA
vorably with any produced by foreign work
men. Most of the artists as well as work
men employed by these designers are for
eigners, and the better grades Of glass used
in the work are imported. The glass man
ufacturers in this country, however, are
making rapid advancement in the art OF
manufacturing glass especially for this work,
and it is probable that within few years
native talent will design, and native work
men produce the material for the decora-
tions of the residences, public buildings,
and churches of the land. Already many
orders for work have been received by de-
signers in this city from customers in Eu-
rope. and this foreign trade is rapidly in
creasing.
The use of colored glass in private houses
is of comparatively recent date. Twenty
five years ago very little work of this class
was done, but to-day the man Of means who
builds country house or a city residence,
expends no inconsiderable sum in such
decoration.
Just at present the favorite colors are
old gold, ruby, and an infinite variety of
shades of green. There is also large de-
mand for Sjewelled" work. The "jewels"
are small pieces of translucent glass, of diff
ferent colors. The faces of these pieces of
glass, which are either round or oblong, are
cut in the style of diamonds or are left
plain. Most of these 'jewels" are manu-
factured in this country. They are made
by pouring molten glass into moulds, and
when cold the diamond face is cut on the
glass. The window of the store visited by
the reporter was filled with different de-
signs, faces, centre-pieces, fruit, floral, and
figured devices, many of them real works
of art. A design for transom has just
been here completed. The groundwork is
opal ''bul's eyes, as they are called. In
the centre the number of the house in
Roman numerals is shown in light blue
s'iewels," while the border is of jewels of
various colors. A design for vestibule
door is composed almost entirely of various
colored Jewels grouped about a centre-piece
showing floral design. These centres are
often very elaborate. One shows female
head representing Winter, decked in red,
against a groundwork of clear Venetian
glass. This glass is smooth to the touch,
but, by peculiar process of manufacture
presents prismatic appearance. Another
design is of bunch of grapes, the leaves
of rich dark green, while the fruit is
formed of purple jewels, the whole present
ing very warm look Of the more elab-
crate centre-pieces one is of woman stand
ing in doorway bidding welcome; another
woman is saying adieu. In this, as in
every other branch of the industry the
workmanship to-day shows most marked
improvement upon the stiff and cold, often
ill-proportioned figures and forms of former
years The reporter was also shown de-
sign for the upper sash of a wide parlor
window, the groundwork of pale blue, upon
this being laid oval and square "hulrs eyes
of olive glass in two shades, with border
of variegated :'jewels." j."
The glass used in this work is of many
grades and qualities. Glass of varying
thickness is much used for giving lighter
or darker shades The lass is heated to
a red heat and is then punched by various
tools, pressed by dies, squeezed into ridges,
or rolled over an uneven surface. In this
manner the glass is so prepared that the
same effects of light and shade are produc-
ed as by hand-painting, and the blending
of the shades is more harmonious. In ad-
dition to the better effect thus produced,
when the light is shining through the glass,
the reflection of light from the uneven
surface of the glass, when the light is
shining from within, reveals the form OF
the design clearly, and yet the color varies
as the Iii ght strikes upon the raised surface
from different angles.
Another new method of treating glass,
or rather modification of an old method,