OLD ENGLISH GLASS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18294, 10 January 1923, Page 10

OLD ENGLISH GLASS.

14TH CENTURY WINDOW.

Experts at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, have reported that a window found during repairs to Chelsea old church is of 14th century glass. Mr. F. C. Eeles, of the ecclesiastical department, said that this is probably the only piece of glass of its period' in London. It is not the oldest window, but it is the only one of its kind known in London.

While re-roofing the vestry the old glass was found between two layers of soft plaster! The window from which it was taken was the north-east one of the St. Lawrence Chapel, against which, in 1630, a huge monument to Sara Colville, depicting her rising from her coffin in a winding-sheet, had been placed. It must have been when this monument was erected that the window was covered over, glass and all. " Examination shows that it is a genuine early 14th century glass," said Mr. Eeles. "The date is about 1320. The head of the figure is smashed. It probably depicted St. Lawrence. " There are considerable remains of a very interesting background and border. It is English glass painting in very definite colours. A great deal of the glass at York Minster is of the same period. The figuring is rather pale, with a deep blao-coloured background." Mr. Eeles, who is secretary of the Central Committee for the Protection of Churches, says that the window is to be returned to the Chelsea church, where it will be placed in another setting.