Glass ‘richly peint’ — S

Press, 26 November 1982, Page 18

Glass ‘richly peint’ — S

The ninth article, and photograph, by FIONA CIARAN, in a series on stained-glass windows

In 1978, this stained-glass window was installed in the auditorium of the new Teachers’ Training. College at Ham. It was removed from the old primary division on the corner of Peterborough and Montreal Streets, where it had occupied a commanding position at the top of the stairs in the wall that faces the inner courtyard. The tracery was left in place and can still be seen today.

were originally placed below feature the college crest and the inscription, “At the going down of the sun And in the morning we will remember them,” from “For the Fallen” by the English poet and dramatist, Laurence Binyon. These are now glazed in the library foyer at the new complex.

Unveiled in 1927, this window was made in Christchurch for Smith and Smith, Ltd, by Frederick Mash (1867-1955). He had trained in London and was brought to New Zealand in 1912 by the then managing director, Briton Smith. In business terms his arrival proved opportune because he was soon inundated with commissions for war memorials.

The South Island has nearly always been the focus for the making of painted and fire-stained glass in New Zealand, and Mash provided good opposition for his Dunedin rivals in the first half of the century. He must be considered as one of the major early contributors to the development of the art form in this country. Mash maintained a high output, executing work for both secular and ecclesiastical- buildings. Although he often partly re-used designs, thus creating great similarity among a number of his pieces, and adapted from imported windows that he had seen locally, Mash developed a versatile style. He became especially wellknown for his versions of

The former site is now part of the Arts Centre and curiously enough includes a stained glass studio. Depicting the figures of Peace, Chivalry, and Justice, this example is a memorial to college members who took part in the First World War. Companion panels which

Christ as the Good Shepherd or as the Light of the World.' After retiring at the age of 71, Mash would occasionally make windows. His last was done in 1947, when he was 80, for the Union church at Cust. The majority of his works are in Canterbury, but examples can be found throughout New Zealand. One of his best pieces stands in the west end of St Andrew’s Church, Epsom, Auckland. Interesting stained glass by Mash can be viewed at these Christchurch locations: All Saints. Sumner; St Augustine’s, Cashmere; St Martin’s, Lincoln Road; St Peter’s, Church Corner; St Saviour’s chapel, Cathedral Grammar School; St Saviour’s, Sydenham; and the Sign of the Takahe.