The First Unitarian Society in Ithaca received frame restoration services from Bovard Studio, including Bovard Studio’s US Patented 1430 Vented Precision Flow® Perimeter Framing System. The windows’ internal venting system will help the church cut energy usage and reduce their carbon footprint as it prevents the heat build-up resulting from the heat absorbing properties of colored stained glass exaggerating the stained glass window’s expansion and contraction cycles and allows condensation to escape preserving the stained glass window for future generations.
La Farge Window Restoration
Stained glass artists often have distinct techniques that lend to their style. This is especially true in a window Bovard Studio restored for St. Luke’s in East Greenwich, RI where prior to our restoration, their La Farge window had been repaired in a contrasting style. Learn more about this project in this article from The Good News Today: http://thegoodnewstoday.org/stories-in-glass/
Munich Window Restoration: Sisters of Providence, IN
Look at the richly painted embellishments in this Munich window that we restored. Several stunning stained glass windows were carefully treated by Bovard Studio for Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
Transom Window Restored
Teddy and Jules work on the perimeter lead for a massive gothic transom stained glass window. This opalescent beauty is being fully restored for First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
Tiffany Window Restoration in Quincy
The Tiffany windows at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Quincy, IL are a sight to be seen! Bovard Studio fully restored two Tiffany windows and several others after a church fire. Note the attention to texture on the garments and figures. Tiffany utilized the glass qualities to describe form, using herringbone textured glass to give the appearance of feathers for the angel wings and heavily undulating drapery glass for the figure’s clothing.
The windows were removed by a disaster remediation contractor after the church caught fire. After being stored in a warehouse with other church artifacts, the Tiffany Angel window glass was found falling apart in piles across a concrete floor, its weakened condition causing many of the exterior layers of glass to slide from the panel.
It was a challenge to reassemble the window and find proper placement of the plating. Careful study of the intact portions made it possible to return the layers of glass to their original positions on the window. Replacements were carefully chosen from thousands of possible matches and flash glass was acid etched to match existing plating. There was no documentation and very little photography of the windows before removal so the restoration plan was heavily reliant on our extensive Tiffany restoration experience.
All except one of the acid etched pieces was pieced back together and edge glued (though other pieces of glass were also replaced because they were partially or completely missing). The subtle colorations in the robes, background clouds & sky, including the radiance from Christ & descending Holy Spirit dove, were all achieved by selective and precise use of acid to remove color from each layer of colored glass, only leaving it in the locations needed. The result being a full restoration faithful to the techniques of Tiffany.
Our Talented Staff: Moline Restoration
A face peers out from a painted glass piece in a window being restored for a church in Moline, IL. The heavy brushwork is even visible in reflected light and will complement the angular lead matrix in the stained glass window. This amazing panel was completed by Kara, one of our talented stained glass craftspeople!
Soldering "Good Shepherd" Stained Glass Window
Soldering is completed for this restored “Good Shepherd” stained glass window. The quality of stained glass has a dramatically different appearance in reflected light, especially painted pieces. Most of these dark pieces will be completely illuminated once installed for sunlight to shine through.
Liturgical Stained Glass Restoration for Moline
Look at the kaleidoscope of colors in this fully restored stained glass window Bovard Studio completed for Sacred Heart in Moline. Even the foliage pieces are comprised of at least four variations of green glass. Harmonizing a multitude of vibrant glass colors is no easy task, making this window and many others from this project exceptional in artistry.
