A Brief History of Stained Glass
It is quite evident by the architectural choices being adopted by public edifices that stained glass has almost certainly become fixtures in our modern world. From churches to our homes, stained glass is everywhere accentuating the style and aesthetic of whatever building the décor inhabits. However, this wasn’t always the case.
In fact, stained glass came very close to extinction not long ago. So allow us to dedicate this blog to discussing about the brief but important history of stained glass. Stick around until the end of this article to learn how you too can create mesmerizing stained glasses using Creative Resins’ stained glass paint solutions.
So without much further ado, let’s get started.
The Inception
History shows that the first actual man-made glass was discovered almost 4000 years ago in Mesopotamia. It is believed that Mesopotamians and Egyptians were the very first people to make glass accessories. It was not until the Romans entered the picture that the art of glass-making was perfected, eventually resulting in the creation of stained glass we see everywhere today.
The Romans typically used stained glass on beads and windows. After some time, this art of stained glass-making spread all over the Middle East and eventually made its way to major regions around the world.
The Islamic Period really saw the art of glass-making flourish with the popular alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan inventing 46 unique recipes to make colored glass. He is also credited for teaching future glass-makers how to precisely cut colored glass to construct jewelry, décor, gemstones, and more.
It was this integral moment in history that turned Stained Glass into a popular art form that went on to be used largely in the skilled worker’s industry. Eventually, the trend spread throughout the world, thus imbuing buildings across the globe with their own unique personality and story.
Stained Glass Popularity in Churches
Once the manufacturing of stained glass was pushed into high gear, several churches all across Europe started using them in the early 7th century. With stained glass becoming a defining characteristic of churches, it was only obvious that they would skyrocket in popularity. This was not only because of the aesthetic appeal it gave churches but also because of the fact that they were being used to relay important bible teachings. It was pure visual storytelling.
This popularity of stained glass almost came to a screeching halt during the renaissance era, which saw religious iconography being outlawed and eliminated throughout the European continent. The demolition of stained glass only escalated in the early 16th century with Protestant Reformation seemingly destroying almost all major stained glass windows.
The French Revolution further contributed to the obliteration of many irreplaceable stained glass pieces. So it is incredible how stained glass has managed to survive and thrive in modern culture despite such a tumultuous journey through history.
The Evolution of Stained Glass
Stained glass managed to survive through those dark middle ages by avoiding controversial religious imagery. That combined with the change in people’s preferences and glassmaking innovations over the years has made stained glass extremely appealing and valuable in recent years.
Even the methods used to construct stained glass have changed and become rather convenient. For instance, it is relatively safer today to build stained glass than it was centuries ago, thanks to the introduction of modern tools. Lead Glazing has become obsolete. The glass is made in such a way that it becomes incredibly simple to place them in homes, offices, or churches.
Aiding in this process of making the process of creating stained glass convenient is the wide collection of Stained Glass paint solutions provided by Creative Resins.
Stained Glass Paint Solutions Made by Creative Resins
Creative Resins offers a wide range of Decorative resin paint products to replicate the lead framework with breathtaking and mesmerizing designs.
Our decorative resins are available in a wide range of colors to serve a range of creative purposes which include, simulating the look of lead or stained glass for windows, creating an outline on glass for decorative purposes, and giving a transparent, opaque, and translucent or texture finish to the stained glass.
Our glass paint products give your glass surface the exquisite look they need without erasing its natural aesthetic. The glass paint products we offer are heat resistant, waterproof, and UV stable. In fact, we offer a 10-year warranty on our products to further validate our claims.
We also offer a spray paint variation for stained glass to add to your decorative endeavors with extra ease and convenience. So feel free to browse through our catalog of top-quality paint products and decorative resins for making stained glass today.
You can explore our products here.
