Two Painted Stained Glass Designs, with the glass designs recessed under a thick card which has ruled border decoration
Striking stained glass designs which are enhanced by how they are set under a thick matting, lending them a dimensionality that captures how such glass would be inset in an embrasure. The designs themselves have a beguiling simplicity that weds the traditional with a modernist sensibility. These were made by a Missouri company based in the small to mid-sized city of St. Joseph which seems to have had developed some reputation as a source for stained glass -- we are not certain on this point -- by a company in business in the teens of the last century and appears to still be in business, although it now operates under an umbrella of another named organization. N.d., circa 1920. The larger panel measures 37 by 27 cm, with the recessed stained glass design about 20 by 10 cm. Rectangular overall, its design is predominantly vertical, and stylistically, it has an appearance compatible with modern architecture. The mostly vertical rectangles, light blue, yellow and white or cream, rise to a rondel which has a vignette illusration of a sheep holding the flag of the Order of Malta. From a pencil note on the back with the place name of Rossville, Kansas, we suspect this is where the window created from the design was finally installed, perhaps in a Church, but just as likely in a home or other structure. The smaller panel is 30.5 by 27.5 but it actually has overall more original artwork, with a double stained glass window with two gentle Gothic pinnacles. The two, including the middle bar separating them, come to 20.5 cm in height at the center of their width, their tallest points, and the width of the two windows together is 17 cm. Their predominant pattern is of diamond shapes, these, bordered by a band of mostly rectangles and spaced smaller squares and circles, and both have a small armorial piece as a center of interest and a scroll shaped piece at their base with what amounts to captioning. One caption has the words, "...in the loving memory of" and the other has a name, "Mr. J. ?' the surname of which we can't make out. Might this suggest a church window that was donated? We do think that this design might have been one used multiple times, or so would have been the company's intention. Both windows are numbered, we presume, by the company, so it is very likely more can be found out if one wishes. The matting has a dusty soiling, erasable with effort, and a few dampstains, which are more permanent. One wants to keep this elaborate matting, though, since it is integral to the artwork, in our view. The window designs themselves are without issues. Title: Two Painted Stained Glass Designs, with the glass designs recessed under a thick card which has ruled border decoration Location Published: St. Joseph, Missouri, St. Joseph Art Glass Co: 1920 Book Condition: Very Good Item lbs: 2.00 Item lbs Categories: Art Nouveau, Architecture, Artwork, Art Deco Seller ID: 20418
