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Salisbury Cathedral restores stained-glass treasure by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris
TL;DR
Salisbury Cathedral has successfully restored the 6.5-metre stained-glass 'Angels' window by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris after a two-year project. The window will be celebrated and rededicated during an evensong service this week.
Key points
- Salisbury Cathedral restored the 'Angels' stained-glass window
- The window was designed by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris
- The restoration project lasted two years
- The window will be celebrated at an evensong service
- Sam Kelly was the head glazier overseeing the restoration
Mentioned in this story
Edward Burne-JonesWilliam Morris
Salisbury Cathedral
Sam Kelly admitted there had been some nights of broken sleep as he led a two-year project to restore one of Salisbury Cathedral’s treasures, a stained-glass window by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris.
“It would be wrong to say I didn’t lie awake sometimes,” said the head glazier. “You are working on something that is very precious and if it fell on the floor, it would be very bad.”
Happily, the 6.5-metre (21ft) tall “Angels” window did not hit the floor. The restoration has been hailed a huge success and this week the artwork will be celebrated and rededicated at an evensong service.
The window was designed in the late 19th century by the pre-Raphaelite artist Burne-Jones and Morris, the textile artist and poet.
Sam Kelly, the head glazier, started as an apprentice at the cathedral 40 years ago. Photograph: Finnbarr Webster
In the century and a half since, water ingress, condensation and the deterioration of much of the painted detail led to the need for restoration.
Kelly, who started as an apprentice at the cathedral 40 years ago and now oversees the care of all its stained-glass windows, said the first task in February 2024 was removing the big, heavy window safely from its position above the south quire aisle. “It wasn’t very stable and you have to be a bit careful that you’re not going to do any more damage,” he said.
Once the window had made it safely to the on-site workshop, it was carefully documented, partly to plan the restoration programme but also as a record so that future custodians of the cathedral’s glass would know exactly what work had been carried out.
Q&A
What is the significance of the 'Angels' stained-glass window at Salisbury Cathedral?
The 'Angels' window is a significant artwork designed by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris in the late 19th century, representing a treasured piece of the cathedral's heritage.
Who led the restoration project for the stained-glass window?
Sam Kelly, the head glazier, led the two-year restoration project for the stained-glass window.
When will the restored stained-glass window be rededicated?
The restored stained-glass window will be rededicated during an evensong service this week.
What challenges were faced during the restoration of the stained-glass window?
Sam Kelly admitted to experiencing sleepless nights due to the precious nature of the window and the fear of it being damaged during the restoration process.
