Stained Glass History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern Glass  [Updated]

Stained glass has a long and fascinating history as one of the world’s most admired crafts. For centuries, people have gazed upon stained glass in churches and other buildings. 

Stained glass originally served to teach churchgoers about biblical history, and the art form continues to do so in addition to secular renderings. 

The history of stained glass can be organized in many ways but a brief history can be summarized into three major categories: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern. The stained glass from these time periods varies in design and purpose, but all use the same basic construction methods. 

While the designs of stained glass have changed over time, the history of stained glass shows that many of the original techniques survived and were revived at different points. 

The following is a short history of stained glass. 

Middle Eastern Stained Glass 

Some of the earliest examples of colorful glass originated in Mesopotamia in the ancient Middle East. Colored glass was found in the city of Nineveh in ancient Assyria. It dates to the seventh century BC. 

Glass has also been found in archaeological sites in Egypt and Rome. 

Middle Eastern stained glass reached its height around the same period as European stained glass. Stained glass was used in mosques and other important buildings. 

Unlike European glass, which emphasizes designs with human figures, Middle Eastern glass features geometric patterns and floral motifs. 

Persia was a major center of stained glass production in the Middle East from the 1500s to the 1700s. 

Medieval Stained Glass of England

Some of the earliest examples of stained glass in Europe have been discovered at sites like Monkwearmouth and Jarrow in England. 

These sites contain church window fragments from as early as the seventh century. 

While some glass does date to the 600s, stained glass production reached its height in the period of 1150 to 1500 in England and the rest of Europe. 

Stained glass images allowed illiterate churchgoers to understand biblical stories and concepts. 

English churches and cathedrals contained stunning works of stained glass art that were well-suited to the Gothic architectural style of the medieval period. 

The use of stained glass was not limited to places of worship. Heraldic symbols and coats of arms were popular window decorations in the later medieval period. 

Medieval Stained Glass of Europe

European countries like France, Germany, and Holland produced some of the most beautiful and intricate stained glass in history. 

Chartres in France was the leading center of stained glass production throughout the Middle Ages. 

Much of what we know about stained glass originates from On Diverse Arts, a book written by German monk Theophilus. He describes the process of producing stained glass and methods of construction. 

Sand and wood ash, or potash, were melted together and powdered metals were added to achieve different colors. When this mixture cooled, it became glass. 

Artists arranged glass pieces on a drawn design called a cartoon. The pieces were assembled with lead and solder in the traditional lead came method. 

Lead pieces were cut with a heated iron during the Middle Ages. 

European stained glass remained unchanged for several hundred years before the introduction of silver stain in the 1300s. This method allowed artists to achieve a new subtlety in their work. 

By the fifteenth century, stained glass designs became more translucent with bigger images. 

The late Middle Ages and Renaissance period saw the decline of stained glass in Europe. While pattern books and more sophisticated shipping allowed even secular buildings to display stained glass, Reformation and counter-reformation churches resisted ornately decoration and demand for glass fell. 

Modern Stained Glass

This decline in stained glass production lasted until the 1800s. While some stained glass was produced between the years of 1500 and 1800, it did not enjoy the popularity of past centuries. 

Europeans imported stained glass to Latin America in the 1600s and 1700s. Early Americans attempted to produce glass in the New World as early as 1607. 

Stained glass now had a presence in the Americas, but it wasn’t until the 1800s that stained glass would enjoy popularity again. 

The revival of stained glass in nineteenth century Europe came with the Gothic revival of the same period. The wealthy in France, Germany, England, and elsewhere desired Middle Ages design influences in their homes. 

Stained glass artists created reproductions of medieval artwork and new renderings in the medieval style. 

The Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau styles shortly followed the Gothic revival of Europe. These artistic movements emphasized natural forms, light, and organic colors. 

Stained glass was an ideal medium for these art styles. 

Louis Comfort Tiffany revolutionized stained glass in America with his invention of the copper foil construction method. He became famous for his intricate lamps and much larger commissions that can still be visited today.