York Minster stained glass update

Like all the stained glass at the Minster, the Great East Window – completed in 1408 – was removed for safety during the First and Second World Wars. Since being reinstalled in 1953, it underwent minor work in the 1970s.

Now, as part of a £30m project at the East End of the Minster, the 301 panels created by John Thornton, of Coventry, are to be removed in phases, cleaned, restored and returned. . .

Senior conservator Nick Teed said: "It is such a large scale proposition that it needs to be carefully thought through before we do anything at all. We have removed 12 panels for preliminary assessment from different areas, including the upper tracery."
Some of the panels have buckled badly over the years, while others are extremely dirty. Many have details with glass from other windows which does not match the original and extra lead has been added which today would not be necessary.

Posted by David on April 11, 2005 7:34 PM