What are some uses for leaded stained glass items in homes? Stained glass with lead is used on front doors and windows. Any kind of artist may tell you that art has as many uses as the imagination can devise....
Any kind of artist may tell you that art has as many uses as the imagination can devise. Paintings can fill a blank spot on the wall in a home or fill the wonder of the imagination when hanging in a museum.
The same might be said of a stained glass creation. Whether it's a window used to tell the a saint's story at a church, a window in a pub used to create atmosphere, an accent window installed in a bathroom for privacy or even a sun catcher used to create sparkle in or outside a home, stained glass has many uses. Its all in what the artist imagines and the homeowner wants.
As early as the Renaissance, stained glass was being used outside of churches, according to one web site (http://freenet.buffalo.edu/bah/a/DCTNRY/mat/stained/stained.html).
The site says, "Historic scenes or heraldry were placed in town halls and small panels (usually silver stain and paint on white glass) were incorporated into clear glass windows in homes. The labors of the seasons are a favorite theme during this period."
"Today, most leaded stained glass being installed is front doors and windows," says David Dillon, the owner of Austin Cut Glass of Austin, who has been in business for 25 years.
In his work he finds himself often making leaded glass for front door side-light windows (next to the front door) and transients above the front door.
"Sometimes they are square, sometimes they are half moon," he says of the shapes his door creations take.
"A lot of times we install accent windows in the bathroom," he says. "those help hide and help give some privacy from being able to see directly into a window, without using curtains or blinds or something like that."
Almost any room in the house can find a use for leaded stained glass, he says. "A lot of people do cabinets either in the kitchen or in a hutch or something like that."
When someone from Austin Cut class makes a design they purchase the raw material glasses, and then draw all of their own designs, Dillon says.
He says ideas for patterns, designs and uses can be found searching the internet. Make a search for patterns and designs using keywords such as Victorian glass, Mediterranean glass, Art Deco, or other design terms and you'll not only find designs for creations but ideas for how or where to use them.
Austin Cut Glass' web site, for instance, offers examples of gorgeous glass pieces adorning windows, doors and lamp shades.
An online tour of other stained glass artists and retailers show a variety of patterns and uses. One site (http://www.elitedeals.com/stgldefisc.html) shows a variety of fireplace screens, from ornate pewter finish fans to tri-fold leaded glass screens.
Another site (http://www.stainedglassbyfran.com/HowToDisplay.htm) says that stained glass can be used for room dividers, in ceiling panels and, of course, as decorative pieces of art that can be hung in windows. The site also says stained glass can be used for house numbers or signs.
