IN THE LIGHT OF THE PAST : STAINED GLASS WINDOWS IN NEW ZEALAND HOUSES

by Jock Phillips and Chris Maclean

Recent years have seen a revival of interest in all forms of leadlight, and particularly leadlight windows. Last century it was used in the homes of the well-to-do, but by Edwardian times stained glass windows had become an important architectural feature in middle class houses. Many windows were copied from overseas designs and mass-production became usual. The complex forms of art nouveau were simplified over succeeding decades to fit in with the changes taking place in the houses themselves, as the villa was succeeded by the Californian bungalow of the twenties and thirties. Sandblasted glass took over from leadlight after World War Two in new houses, and homeowners removed stained glass from older houses in order to "modernise" them.

The trend began to reverse itself in the seventies. Stained glass making is now regarded as an art form, as the work of Holly Sanford, David Clegg and James Walker shows, and it is also a flourishing craft, practised by many keen amateurs as well.

This book traces the development of stained glass windows in New Zealand, from its beginnings last century to the present, with case-studies of individual craftspeople such as the talented but now unknown R.H Fraser of Dunedin.

With 124 full colour illustrations.

Published by Oxford University Press in 1983

Large format hardcover (143 pages)

Very good unmarked condition

NOTE: This is a registered charity auction with proceeds being donated to worthy causes in the community