The origins of the first stained glass windows are lost in history. The technique probably came from jewelry making, cloisonné and mosaics. Stained glass windows as we know them, seemed to arise when substantial church building began. By the 10th century, depictions of Christ and biblical scenes were found in French and German churches and decorative designs found in England.
Stained glass is often used in the making of windows and lampshades and became a fashionable addition to residences , public buildings and churches. Heraldic glass showing detailed shields and coats of arms on simple, transparent backgrounds was common. Much of what stained glass was became forgotten.
Stained glass is an art form in which colored glass, then the glass is cut into shapes, from which individual pieces can be cut with glass cutting tools. The glass sheets can be made in a variety of textures, and the uneven or pebbly surface of some stained glass sheets gives the resultant picture a jeweled look when light passes through it, then the pieces of glass are assembled by slotting them into H-sectioned lead cames. The joints are then all soldered together and the glass pieces are stopped from rattling and the window made weatherproof by forcing a soft oily cement or mastic between the glass and the cames.
