RESTORATION OF HISTORIC STAINED GLASS PANELS

Project Overview
The Hall within the Long Alley Almshouses, built between 1446-7, is the centrepiece of Christ’s Hospital of Abingdon. Cliveden Conservation was appointed to repair and conserve the eight Armorial stained glass panels that sit within the stone-mullioned bay window, constructed in 1605 by Lawrence Smyth​.

Condition Assessment
The 19th century windows, made in 1829 by Russell of Oxford to commemorate the benefactors and founders of the building across the first few hundred years of its existence, had suffered extensive damage in recent years. Dirt and grime coated the inside of the panels, with leaching deposits from the lead and cement causing formations of encrustations that sat on the glass along the lead lines. Several of the central panes had suffered extensive damage caused by impact strikes from stones.

Across all panels, the lead came was brittle in places and especially crumpled on the perimeter. Many of the panels had rips and tears to the lead matrix particularly where the copper ties had been attached, weakening the overall structure. The historic lead was milled and the marks from its fabrication were clearly visible along its heart.

The stone-mullion bay window also needed repair work. Three Bath stone transoms had split in half due to the rusting ferramenta.

Challenges
Repairs to the stained glass panels were undertaken at the Cliveden Conservation workshop. Conservators approached the cleaning of the glass with caution, and initial tests were carried out under a microscope to better assess the stability of the paint.

Careful consideration was given to each individual piece’s circumstance within the panel. Due to the simplicity of the lead matrix and large size of the glass pieces, the visual integrity of the overall appearance was also taken into consideration.

Conservation Treatment
Edge-bonding with conservation grade resin was favoured where a break needed to be mended but not showcased. String lead, copper foil and silicone were also used within this scheme, depending on the qualities required of each repair.

Where necessary, newly painted pieces were inserted by conservators. These were carefully made to match or blend in with the original glass in colour and texture, and dated under the lead line to distinguish from the original.

Once repaired the glass was re-leaded and weather- proofed. Where possible the historic lead came was retained to preserve the panel’s history. Replacement lead was sourced to match the original in size and shape.

The three damaged Bath stone transoms were worked and repaired allowing the window to be reinstalled securely.

Results
Cliveden Conservation successfully carried out the repairs with minimal intervention and maximum retention of the historic fabric, using modern repair materials alongside traditional techniques. Careful project management ensured that meetings in the Hall could continue throughout the duration of the works.

The historic window, which is an integral part of the building’s history, is now back within the medieval hall for future generations to enjoy.