Stained Glass Museum, Ely


The Stained Glass Museum is the United Kingdom's only museum dedicated exclusively to the art of stained glass. Located within Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire, it houses a nationally significant collection of stained glass panels, designs, materials and tools that illustrate the development of the art from the 13th century to the present day.

History

The Stained Glass Museum was founded in 1972 as a repository for stained glass panels and windows at risk of destruction, particularly those removed from redundant churches and other threatened buildings. A steering committee initially chaired by Sir Trenchard Cox, former Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, and then Margot Eates, oversaw the project. Art historian Martin Harrison was employed as curator.
The museum opened to the public on 30 March 1979 in the north triforium of Ely Cathedral.
Following later redevelopment, the permanent gallery was established in the cathedral's south triforium, where it remains today. The permanent display presents a chronological arrangement of over 125 glass panels and other materials illustrating the evolution of stained-glass techniques and styles over a period of 800 years. Loans from partner institutions, including the Victoria and Albert Museum and items from the Royal Collection, complement works from the museum's own holdings.
The museum regularly mounts temporary exhibitions and runs an active learning programme of workshops, talks and family activities.
King Charles III is Patron of The Stained Glass Museum, having accepted the appointment in 1999 when Prince of Wales, during the museum's 25th anniversary Appeal.

Collection

The collection of the Stained Glass Museum comprises over 1,000 stained glass panels, both complete and fragmentary. While the collection was founded with the specific purpose of rescuing works from closed religious and secular buildings across the British Isles, its mandate has grown to include acquisitions and gifts of significant works that are representative of the development of the artform.
In addition to stained glass panels, the museum preserves preparatory designs, cartoons and maquettes as well as tools and materials associated with the design and manufacture of stained glass.
The following list is an inexhaustive selection works that are either preserved in the collection of the Stained Glass Museum, or on long-term loan to the institution.