Stained Glass Museum

• Name — Stained Glass Museum • Collection Size — More than 1,000 stained glass panels • Founder — Trenchard Cox, Martin Harrison • Type — Stained glass museum • Location — Ely Cathedral, Ely, Cambridgeshire, England • Leader Type — Chair of Board of Trustees • Leader — Mark Hosea • Curator — Dr Jasmine Allen • Website — https: stainedglassmuseum.com/

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 collection was moved to the museum's current location in the cathedral's south triforium, opening to the public in April 2000. 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 the Royal Collection, have been added to the museum's own holdings. The museum 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. In 2026, the museum's collection was awarded Designated status by Arts Council England, recognising its national significance.

• Illustration — Bust of a King (c.1210) • Illustration — St Vincent on the Gridiron (c.1225-1250) • Illustration — James Pearson, Portrait of George III (1793) • Illustration — Karl Parsons, St Columba (1913) • Illustration — John Piper, experimental panel (c.1956) • Illustration — Margaret Traherne, Virgin and Christ Child (1956) • Illustration — Pauline Boty, female figure (1958–1962) • Illustration — Paul San Casciani, Inner Space (1979) • Illustration — Brian Clarke, Peel Cottage Window (1982) • Illustration — Kehinde Wiley, Saint Adelaide (2014) • Illustration — Pinkie Maclure, Beauty Tricks (2017)

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 art form. 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 is a selection of works listed by date, that are either preserved in the collection of the Stained Glass Museum, or on long-term loan to the institution. • French artist active in Soissons - Bust of a King (c.1210). Purchased 2003. Catalogue entry • French artist - St Vincent on the Gridiron (c.1225-1250). Acquired 2021. Catalogue entry • English artist active in the West Midlands - Scenes from the life of the Virgin (c.1340). Gifted 1976. Catalogue entry • English artist - The Principalities [Principans Turma] (15th century). Purchased 2015. Catalogue entry • Dirck Vellert (attr.) - The Suicide of Charondas of Catanea (c.1530). Gifted 1992. Catalogue entry • James Pearson - Portrait of George III (1793). On loan since 1992. Catalogue entry • William Wailes. Sacrifice of Isaac (Mid-19th Century). Gifted 2004. Catalogue entry • John Hardman Powell - Noli Me Tangere (1852). Gifted 1975. Catalogue entry • Dante Gabriel Rossetti - Labours of the Months, August and December (1863). Gifted 2001. Catalogue entry • William Butterfield - Elders of the Apocalypse (c.1864). On loan since 1998. Catalogue entry • William de Morgan - King David (c.1870). Gifted 1978. Catalogue entry • William Morris - Minstrels (c.1870-1889). Gifted 2016. Catalogue entry • Henry Holiday - The Ministry of Christ (1907). Gifted 1973. Catalogue entry • Christopher Whall - Decent of the Holy Spirit (1907). On loan since 2023. Catalogue entry • Mary Lowndes - The Finding of the Saviour in the Temple (1910). Gifted 1974. Catalogue entry • Andrew Stoddart - Launcelot and Elaine (c.1910). Catalogue entry • Edward Burne-Jones - Angel Musicians & St Matthew & Fidelitas & St Luke (1910–1912). On loan since 1975. Catalogue entry • Karl Parsons - St Columba (1913). Gifted 1977. Catalogue entry • Douglas Strachan - David Anointed as King (1916). Purchased 2024. Catalogue entry • Francis Spear - Nativity (1923). Gifted 2012. Catalogue entry • Harry Clarke - St Wilfrid and St John Berchmans (1927). Purchased 1998. Catalogue entry • Moira Forsyth - The Temptation of St Francis (c.1930). On loan since 1993. Catalogue entry • Ervin Bossányi - Morning and Evening (1933). Gifted 1976. Catalogue entry • Evie Hone - Christ Meeting his Mother (c.1950). Gifted 1989. Catalogue entry • Georges Braque - Still life with Coffee Grinder (1954). Gifted 2009. Catalogue entry • John Piper - Experimental Panel (c.1956). On loan since 2003.Catalogue entry • Margaret Traherne - Virgin and Child (1956). Gifted 2005. Catalogue entry • John Hayward - St Michael and Saints (1958). Gifted 1975. Catalogue entry • Pauline Boty - Female figure (1958–1962). Acquired 2016. Catalogue entry • Paul San Casciani - Inner Space (1979). Gifted 2024. Catalogue entry • Brian Clarke - Peel Cottage Window (1982). On loan since 2000. Catalogue entry • Patrick Reyntiens - The Temptation of St Anthony (1984). Purchased 1999. Catalogue entry • Graham Jones - Sister Moon … Mother Earth (2005). Gifted 2017. Catalogue entry • Mark Angus - Wrestling with the Angel (2012). Gifted 2022. Catalogue entry • Kehinde Wiley - Saint Adelaide (2014). Purchased 2021. Catalogue entry • Pinkie Maclure - Beauty Tricks (2017). Purchased 2024. Catalogue entry