Antique Scottish Stained Glass Window Collection is a Piece of History

Scottish Stained Glass is proud to announce our first ever fundraiser for Project C.U.R.E. on June 21^st. The proceeds will assist that worthy organization in sending $1,000,000 worth of medical supplies to a hospital’s pediatric ward in Belize. Not just any old fundraiser, this one will consist of selling off Scottish Stained Glass founder Martin Faith’s prized, antique stained glass window collection.

These windows are beauties, each one at least 100 years old, imported from homes in Scotland that were replacing them with more modern windows. Can you imagine! Some contain colored glass, some are all clear or textured glass, all in great condition and ready to find appreciative new homes with Denver area stained glass lovers.

The history of this antique window collection is pretty cool. During the 19^th and early 20^th centuries, Glasgow was the second wealthiest city in the British Empire, with London, of course, being the most prosperous. Indeed, Glasgow was referred to as the “Second City of the Empire”.

This wealth led to gorgeous homes, many the size of castles, being decorated with art in the form of sculpture, painting, and stunning stained glass windows, produced by hand by the master craftsmen of the times. In fact, one of Glasgow’s most well-known architects, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, created stained glass masterworks for many of his buildings that are admired to this day.

Thousands of Stained Glass Windows Lost Forever

However, the failing economy after World War One saw the demise of the city’s stained glass industry, which has never recovered to this day. In the sixties, the vast majority of Glasgow’s older Victorian style houses were demolished to put up high rises and just like that, most of the stained glass windows that had adorned them so gracefully were gone.

Then, during the seventies and eighties, the remaining leaded glass windows were taken out and replaced with more modern, heat efficient, double paned windows.

It was some of these windows that Martin Faith managed to acquire, bringing them over from Scotland to form his prized collection. Sadly, it’s been estimated that only around 2% of the original residential stained glass from that area still exists. As you might expect, a larger proportion of stained glass windows done for Scotland’s many churches is still in existence.

Perhaps during that era, the value and craftsmanship that went into this particular type of art was simply not understood, or appreciated? We can hardly understand this mentality, but Glasgow’s loss was our gain. And now, these windows will help to save children’s lives! Rather amazing, isn’t it?

As with all antiques, this collection represents a tangible piece of history. Glasgow’s history, to be precise, which is also Martin Faith’s history. As owner of the largest stained glass studio of its kind here in the U.S., Faith has the deepest respect for the history and tradition of stained glass making and the amazing artists who devoted their lives to it.

In fact, some of the pieces in his antique collection were damaged, and have been repaired and restored with the most loving care and attention. If you’d like to see some of these pieces, find out information about the charity fundraiser or how you might be able to purchase windows from the collection, click here

Of course, if it’s the highest quality, most modern, “custom-made-to-your-specifications” stained glass windows or door panels you’re looking for, then why not contact us today?