Transform Light into Color in Your Home with Stained Glass Décor
- America's Antique Mall
- Apr 21
- 8 min read
Whether you grew up kneeling under the stunning rainbow rays in your family’s cathedral or have always admired the vibrant designs at antique malls from afar, we can all agree that stained glass is undeniably beautiful. With a rich history, intricate details, and endless designs to choose from, there’s a stained glass art style for everyone—let’s find yours together!
What is Stained Glass?
Stained glass is a mosaic-style art form in which pieces of carefully shaped colored glass are used to create decorative window hangings, lamps, and other objects. The word “stained” is inspired by their coloring methods. It would be easy to assume that each vibrant piece is painted on, but that isn’t necessarily true. Instead, the glass for the stained glass window hangings is colored or stained by adding metallic oxides and salts during manufacture.
How is Stained Glass Art Made?
Crafting stained glass art takes an eye for detail and a steady hand. The artist begins with sketching a design (often called a cartoon) for the stained glass window hanging to map out the desired color composition and piece sizes. Then, a dividing iron is used to cut the colorful glass into the correct shapes.
Once any extra details are painted on and the glass panels are fired in the kiln, they can be laid out for assembly. After the design for the stained glass art is put together, the artist joins each piece with bonding strips called “lead came” and a semi-liquid cement to secure the pieces together.
The Origins of Stained Glass
With minimal records to prove any hypothesis, we may never know who invented the colorful stained glass art form. We’re just happy it exists!
Stained glass has been around for hundreds of years—and it never gets old! Historians bicker about the true origins of stained glass art. Some credit a legend about shipwrecked Phoenician sailors who accidentally melted a sand and soda mixture on the beach. Others credit the discovery to Egyptian or Mesopotamian potters experimenting as they fired their vessels.
There have been countless examples of striking stained glass finds throughout history. One of the earliest pieces of a stained glass window was found in St. Paul’s Monastery, dating all the way back to 686 AD. The cathedrals in Europe are home to thousands of brightly stained glass window hangings from different design eras, from the Romanesque stained glass windows depicting primitive scenes to the Renaissance era focusing on Biblical allegories and beyond.
A History of Stained Glass in the United States
Glassmaking was one of the first industries set up in America in the early 1600s. In the coming decades, production for colorful stained glass art slowed down as it was considered out of style. But as churches began requesting stained glass windows and it reentered the trends, glass artists around the United States started to dedicate their time and energy to creating beautiful pieces for both places of worship and home décor.
Why People Love Stained Glass
Mesmerizing, captivating, and otherworldly are just a few of the words used to describe timeless stained glass art. If you’ve ever witnessed the light pouring in through a vibrant stained glass window, it’s easy to understand that there’s something undeniably magical about the way light shines through the panels. No wonder there are so many avid collectors out there!
If you’re searching for one-of-a-kind statement décor pieces for your home, stained glass art is the way to go. Whether you cover your sunroom in larger-than-life stained glass window hangings or string up an antique Tiffany lamp over your reading chair, these sophisticated designs are sure to brighten up the space. And with bright colors and endless pattern possibilities, there truly is something to suit every style.
The way stained glass is crafted is perfect for creating mini depictions of meaningful stories and scenes. If you have a spiritual side, you’ll love that many stained glass window hangings depict moments in history and stories from the Bible. If you’re not religious, there are plenty of pieces inspired by nature, geometric patterns, and more.
What Makes Stained Glass Art Valuable?
If you’re looking to sell your wares, listen up! The value of stained glass windows is affected by a variety of variables, such as:
Condition: if the stained glass artwork is badly damaged, its value plummets. Luckily, with the proper skills, many pieces can be restored to their former glory.
Age: older stained glass window hangings are typically worth more than newer ones due to their historical value.
Style: aesthetic is a massive deciding factor for stained glass value—and with so many design eras to choose from, there’s something to be found at every price point.
Design: stained glass windows can feature Biblical scenes, historical events, nature patterns, and more, and each has its own place in different collectors’ homes.
Piece size: as smaller pieces require more glass materials, stained glass window hangings with more pieces have a higher value.
Artist: any art collector worth their salt will tell you that sometimes, the name is everything to a value—and that includes stained glass artists.
Glass manufacturer: where and when the glass was made can affect the overall price of a piece, regardless of what the scene in the stained glass window hanging depicts.
Get to Know These 5 Notable Stained Glass Artists
Even though your chances of finding stained glass art by these artists at Crown Point antique malls aren’t very high, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the top names in the art form. Learning about its history, unique styles, and expert craftsmanship will help you build the stained glass window hanging collection of your dreams.
1. Louis Comfort Tiffany
At this point, the Tiffany name is synonymous with stained glass. Louis Comfort Tiffany may have started as a trained painter, but his legacy in glassmaking is what he’ll be remembered for. He is most famously known in the Art Deco movement for his mosaic patterns and Tiffany Lamp—a design that singlehandedly brought stained glass art into homes around the globe.
2. Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Named after the Glasgow-based artist, Mackintosh stained glass windows are best known for floral motifs, subtle curves, and nature-inspired scenes. Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s designs are extremely popular with non-religious collectors, from the classic Mackintosh Rose to geometric patterned door windows.
3. Marc Chagall
Marc Chagall is known for his dreamy, modernist style, setting him apart from his more classic-inspired colleagues. The designs of his bright and big stained glass window hangings are inspired by events from his life and contain imagery related to war, religion, music, love, and more. You can find one of his largest stained glass window hangings, America Windows, at the Art Institute of Chicago or his traveling exhibits at botanical gardens and museums around the country.
4. Kehinde Wiley
If you prefer a more modern approach to stained glass window hangings, look no further than Kehinde Wiley’s wonderful artwork. Each design challenges Western art conventions by replacing traditional white figures with young Black men and women. Best known for painting Barack Obama’s official White House portrait, this mixed-media artist is bound to become a household name.
5. Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most influential figures in the Art Deco movement, but before that, he made a name for himself in the stained glass window world. In the late 1800s, Wright used his glassmaking skills and founded the Prairie School with a young group of architects. Together, they developed what is now called prairie-style stained glass—a style of stained glass window hanging that emphasizes geometric patterns and minimalist lines.
Top Tips for Starting Your Very Own Stained Glass Art Collection
Whether you’re looking for just one stained glass window at an antique mall in Northwest Indiana or are interested in curating your very own collection, starting your journey is simple! Follow our top tips and tricks to get the best bang for your buck:
Tip #1: Research the Different Periods of Stained Glass Art
Stained glass artwork comes in all shapes, sizes, and, most notably, styles. As is the norm for most antiques and collectibles, every design era has its own signature look.
If you intend to show off your stained glass art around your home, you’ll want it to complement your existing décor. Researching each period’s styles will help you narrow down your stained glass window hanging search.
Popular Eras for Stained Glass Window Hangings
Heading to our antique mall near Chicago and letting your heart shop for you is always fun, but if you want to plan ahead and determine what style of stained glass window hanging you’re after, it’s worth taking a look at these design eras:
Gothic: maximalist stained glass windows between the 12th and 16th centuries characterized by intricate designs, religious figures, and rich hues.
Renaissance: typically found in secular buildings, the stained glass window hangings created after the Gothic period emphasized realism, linear perspective, and colored enamel techniques.
Arts and Craft: popular in windows, doors, and home décor of the 1880s, this era features minimalist lines and nature patterns.
Art Nouveau: designed in the late 1800s, the patterns are made out of organic forms, flowing lines, and almost iridescent hues.
Art Deco: made from the 1920s to 1940s, the stained glass windows are known for angled patterns, linear symmetry, and strong colors.
Tip #2: Shop Reputable Sources
One of the most life-changing tidbits of advice we can give you when it comes to buying antiques is to only shop from reputable and trustworthy vendors. Unfortunately, there are plenty of people in the world who don’t have your best interests in mind and are just trying to turn a profit. Avoid the scammers and shop exclusively at our antique malls and online auction sites you can trust.
Tip #3: Get Your Stained Glass Art Appraised
Getting your stained glass window hangings appraised is primarily for insurance. Once appraised, the official papers allow you to document the value of vintage glass in case of any damage or loss. They also offer peace of mind that the stained glass art you’re purchasing is actually worth your while.
The Best Stained Glass Art Appraisal Organizations
Melbourne vendors that specialize in stained glass art will have gotten the design appraised before displaying it in their booths, so you know exactly what the piece is worth. But if you find a stained glass window or decoration in the wild, contact a professional appraisal service ASAP! Look into the services of one of the following companies:
Keep an Eye Out for These Types of Stained Glass Art
Not everyone can afford to install stained glass windows in their home, but smaller collectibles should do the trick! On your next trip to our Indiana vendor mall, take your time and search each booth for these beautiful types of stained glass art:
Light up Your Living Spaces with Stained Glass Lamps
Stained glass lamps add an instant, cozy feel to any room in the house. If you want to add a vintage feel to your entryway or illuminate your bedside table with an array of colors, Tiffany lamps (or one of the many vintage light fixture copycats) are worth hunting down.
Welcome in the Rainbows with Stained Glass Sun Catchers
Suncatchers are little stained glass window hangings perfect for adding some colorful flair to your home. Butterflies, flowers, geometric shapes—with endless designs to choose from, there’s a sun catcher stained glass art piece for everyone. They can make a thoughtful birthday, housewarming, or hostess present, too!
Lean into Contemporary Styles with Stained Glass Sculptures
Modern stained glass art has taken classic techniques and gone the extra mile to make sophisticated and fun statues, figurines, and sculptures. If you’re searching for the perfect bookshelf trinket or massive sculpture for your garden, consider investing in a well-crafted and stylish stained glass art piece.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re planning on becoming a stained glass window vendor or searching for a single statement piece for your gallery wall—our Highland antique mall is full of stained glass art just waiting to be explored. Stop by and start your search today!
