This simple, but really beautiful invention, can easily be acquired by
carefully reading the following directions, and by practice, the effect
of gorgeous stained glass can be given to common window glass, with
moderate expense. The materials required are plates of clear glass,
free from specks or bubbles, designs, groundings, and borderings which
are printed expressly for the purpose, and in transparent colors; a
roller which is employed to press the paper closely on the glass, so as
to remove the bubbles of air; transfer varnish, to fasten the prints
upon the glass; clearing liquid, which is used after the paper has been
removed, to render the work transparent and brilliant; the washable
varnish, which protects the designs from damps, and renders them
capable of being cleaned; and three camel’s hair brushes to apply the
varnish, &c. There are three hundred sheets of designs published for
this work, consisting of subjects, borderings, and groundings.
A window generally consists of parts of several sheets, as it should
contain a medallion or subject, a border, and the whole of the
remaining space filled up with grounding paper. Among some of the best
subjects, we may mention “The Virgin and Child.” “The four Evangelists
with architectural niches.” “The Adoration of the Magi, with
architectural borders.” “St. Peter and St. Paul.” “The Annunciation.”
“St. John the Baptist.” “St. Joseph.” “Mater Admirabilis.” “Adoration
of the Magi.” “Boar hunt.” “Deer reposing.” “Two marine views.” “The
Laborer’s Return.” “Winter scenes,” &c. For these suitable groundings
and borderings must be selected according to the taste of the worker,
who must, however, remember that the beauty of the work depends upon
perfect harmony in coloring and design.
The materials being all collected, thoroughly cleanse and dry your
sheet of glass, and lay it flat upon a folded cloth. Then cut out the
medallion, or subject (unless the paper is to be applied in one piece),
and fasten it to the glass by thoroughly damping it on the wrong side
with a wet sponge, giving it a plentiful coating of transfer varnish
on the printed side, laying it face downwards upon the glass, and
firmly pressing it down with the roller, commencing at the centre, and
gradually passing over the edges.
The border must be the next fixed. Then damp the printed side of the
grounding paper, and lay it over; raise one end of the glass, so that
the light passing through will enable you to see the position of the
subject and border. Trace round them carefully with a pencil, remove
the grounding paper, and cut it out a little within the line, so that
the ground may slightly overlap the subject; give the coating of
varnish, and apply it to the glass, as before described, pressing it
down with the roller, so that no blisters are to be seen.
Take care to keep the back of the papers damp during this operation,
and when it is finished wash them over with the sponge and water. It
is well to interpose a piece of damp paper between the roller and the
design, as this prevents the varnish adhering to it. The work now
requires to be left for four-and-twenty hours, so that the varnish may
become dry and hard; it is then ready for the next operation--rubbing
off the paper. This is done by wetting and rubbing in a circular
direction, with a sponge or the hand.
After this the work again must be allowed to dry; after which rub
it with the hand so as to remove all loose particles, and give it a
coating of the clearing liquid, which should be laid on with a flat
brush. After again remaining for a day to harden, the washable varnish
is applied, and the work is completed.
If these directions are carefully followed, a perfect transparency will
be produced, which it will require an experienced eye to detect from
real stained glass.
Transparencies in thin silk or muslin can be made by tightly stretching
the material on to a frame. The designs are then subjected to two
coatings of the clearing liquid applied on the wrong side, and when
dry, one of the transfer varnish to the colored side. This is then well
pressed down by the roller. When quite dry, if the picture appear at
all cloudy, it will be necessary to apply the clearing liquid again,
then varnish, and the transparency is finished. Be careful, however,
not to remove the work from the frame until perfectly dry. This work is
especially adapted for hall windows, by the side of the front door, or
in the door.
We have seen beautiful specimens of this work done by a twelve-year-old
miss.