What Type of Glass is This?

[ajayre]

It's a 1902 window with coloured panels. Some of them are cracked, one is unstable.

Is it possible to repair cracked glass? I don't mean to make the crack invisible, but to simply stabilize it and make it one piece again?

Was this type of glass mass produced?

Any hints or tips on where to look for replacement pieces? Ideally that is what I would prefer because I can get the pieces in advance of the window frame being refurbished.

Thanks! Andy

Update: I now see that it is cut glass (cobalt blue and ruby red?). I've emailed Tatra Glass. Any other options?

 

[88v8]

Beautiful.
Loctite do a Glass Bond. Have to be very careful taking it out of the frame of course.
The traditional way to repair broken stained glass is to lead it. Not exactly invisible though.

Ivor

 

[billybuntus]

Can't see any cracks in your pictures. Superglue would be your best bet or epoxy may be better. I definitely wouldn't run lead came over it as it's clearly not a leaded light and would stick out like a sore thumb. If you do glue it you'd be better off removing the glass and

Are you looking to replace it? You could buy modern antique glass and have it could. It's normally called 'brilliant cut glass'. I know a guy who still does it if your interested. He's in a blaydon near newcastle (up north). Pearsons glass would be able to supply you a piece. You could send them a section of glass and they'll match it up.

Alternatively you could replace it with something equally in keeping. I've been making stained glass panels for 10 years if you need any advice.

www.oldhousesalvage.co.uk

 

[Keithj]

I've used Loctite glass bond. It works - sort of. Given the choice, I'd replace the glass.

 

[Penners]

An alternative approach might be to sandwich the stained glass between two panes of float glass. I reckon this would protect it effectively without resorting to any unsightly glues. Used very carefully, I think glass bond superglue would be the least visually intrusive glue, if you prefer that idea, but I think this solution would still leave the glass vulnerable.

 

[plasticpigeon]

I see it is cut glass, but it also looks like it was masked with something before it was stained. I think Berlin black was used for masking maybe other masking methods were used as well.

 

[ajayre]

Update...

I called around many companies following leads and finally found Stuart Owen Norton Glass & Sign (http://www.glass-and-sign.com) who still make cut glass using traditional techniques.

I removed the four broken panels, sent them off by FedEx and paid a 50% deposit. I had to trust them completely as I didn't know if the reproductions would be a good match, so it was a bit nerve wracking.

After about four weeks I got them back and now they are installed. The paintwork still needs to be done of course and a bit of cleaning of the centre panels. In each of the pictures below there is between one and two panels that are their reproductions. Can you tell which is which?

I've very happy with the result. I overlaid the old with the new on a table and the pattern was an exact duplicate. It was expensive but I would recommend them 100% if you need to get cut glass panels reproduced.

 

[LadyArowana]

How lovely to hear a happy end to the story, looks fabulous.

 

[Lime]

Well, good for you.
An excellent result and looks good.

 

[mims&pip]

Looks lovely, well done

Wish I'd known about those guys a few years back when the chaps re-roofing our 1888 Victorian house on the South Coast had a nasty accident involving scaffolding, a slate and some original stained & etched glass in a large landing window......grrrr! They took it upon themselves to seek out a pretty good match for replacement purposes, but unfortunately the scale was not quite right.

At least I'll know where to go in future :wink:

 

[Penners]

An excellent job, Andy, which looks great!

 

[88v8]

Well done for taking the trouble.
The etching does indeed look immaculate.
Fortunate that they were able to obtain glass of a matching colour.

Ivor

PS now you'll be able to invite young ladies to come and see your etchings