Did you know that as far back as prehistoric times, people have played with glass to fashion it with color? These ancestors mixed in metallic salts and oxides to change the glass from clear to colorful. Granted, they didn't possess the scientific understanding of this technique. Still, the process remains close to its root, with only a few minor tweaks and twists. The scientific explanation of the magic of stained glass begins in how ordinary light passes through the tainted glass. As light goes through, the minerals in the glass allow only certain portions of the color spectrum to filter through. Any color that comes through appears as a solid shade to the ordinary eye. Different colors are exhibited thanks to different minerals. For instance, metallic gold gives off a cranberry color. Also, cobalt gives off blue. Silver, on the other hand, gives off a gold or yellow tone. And, copper will give off a brick red or green shade.

Different periods or eras in time brought us different uses of this art form. During the 1100 AD to 1300 AD period, stain glass written records were first found. This documentation showed us the techniques of that time involved elaborate designs for stained glass windows inside mostly cathedrals and some old churches. Pictures during this great Gothic cathedral time in Europe were not used; instead, designs that depicted the honor and glory of God overruled any pictures of Man.

When you think of cathedral stained glass however, you are more likely to recall grand pictures of religious symbols and disciples as seen in the cathedral windows during the period from 1400 to 1700. The 1400s were known as the High Gothic period that took stained glass art into pictures. Pictures were often done by paint on glass rather by painstakingly placing bits of glass into panels to create a scene. This technique soon became the norm and by the 1700s, painting on glass was often seen in the nobler homes and public buildings. However, churches fell out of this practice, considered it unfashionable, and started to remove their stained glass window paintings.

However, the pendulum swings both ways. In the mid-1800~s, England experienced a Gothic Revival movement in architecture and stained glass windows were popular once again. Glass artisans who immigrated to America during that time period brought stained glass technology to American churches and cathedrals. During the 1920~s and 1930~s it was popular for the average middle-class home to have a small stained glass window in the front door or a small stained glass panel in one front window. Otherwise, stained glass windows are usually seen only in American churches.

During the last 30 years, a large resurgence of interest in stained glass windows has gained momentum. While stained glass is more modernly referred to as art glass, this glass is now commonly seen free-hanging as a piece of decorative art in anyone's home. In response to this craze, Andersen Corporation, a U.S. manufacturer of quality windows and doors, started a line of art glass windows and patio doors patterned after Frank Lloyd Wright designs.

This magical and illusionary glass has not changed in technique much over history. However, many hundreds of artisans make a living applying this technique to restoring cherished pieces in church and public building windows, as well as creating some uniquely wonderful pictures and designs for homes.

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