Ceiling stained glass windows: Characteristics, technique, decay and conservation (original) (raw)

2011, Proceedings of the Corpus Virearum Forum for the Conservation of Stained Glass, Lisbon, 26-28 september 2011

During the 19th century stained glass started to be used for the first time as enclosure for ceilings, mainly in domestic, civil and profane buildings and generally in monumental size . This innovative solution for glazing ceilings came as a result of a new taste in architecture, but also of the developments in the fields of construction materials and methods. This type of horizontal or semi-horizontal window needs, perhaps more that any other, a reliable protection system. Great attention has to be paid to the design and construction of a skylight, which acts both as supporting and protective structure for the window. Additionally, the ventilation, water drainage and lighting of these windows also play an important role in its design. As for its deterioration and conservation, these windows differ from the traditional, vertical ones. Accessing the window, whether for cleaning, removal, restoration or protection generally demands a different approach from conventional conservation projects. Though ceiling windows are to be found in many different buildings and countries, the various typologies, alterations and conservation procedures are very similar. This article focuses mainly on the many Spanish examples that we have located and studied. After reviewing some general issues and common features of these windows, the main aspects of their decay and conservation will be discussed with more detail, commenting also the peculiarities encountered during a particular conservation project.