Leaded glass is a decorative glazing technique in which separate pieces of (often coloured) glass are joined into a coherent panel using lead strips. The lead strips, known as came, have an H-shaped cross-section: the glass slides into the grooves on either side, the joints are soldered, and the panel is puttied to make it watertight and rigid.
Application
Leaded glass has many applications, each with its own character:
- Stained church windows are the best-known form. The glass is painted with glass paint and fired, creating figurative images that glow with incoming light.
- Fanlights above front doors were very popular around 1900. The window above the door held a decorative leaded panel that brought light into the hallway.
- Art nouveau and Jugendstil panels in houses show stylised flowers, tendrils and flowing lines, often used in internal doors and bay windows.
- Coloured windows in stairwells add atmosphere and filter the daylight.
- Modern applications range from abstract geometric compositions to combinations with clear insulating glass, where the leaded panel sits within the cavity for better insulation.
Characteristics
During restoration, old panels are often fully dismantled, re-leaded and re-soldered to correct sagging and draughts.
Related terms
- Leaded glass
- Stained glass
- Glass
- Fanlight
- Jugendstil
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