Stained Glass Glossary of Terms

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In architecture, an abacus (from the Greek abax, slab; or French abaque, tailloir; plural abacuses or abaci) is a flat slab forming the uppermost member or division of the capital of a column, above the bell. Its chief function is to provide a large supporting surface, tending to be wider than the capital, as an abutment to receive the weight of the arch or the architrave above.

Latin: To the greater Glory of God.
Also the motto of the Jesuits, The Society of Jesus.

The Arts and Crafts movement was an international movement in the decorative and fine arts that began in Britain and flourished in Europe and North America between 1880 and 1910. Particularly associated with William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelite circle. It stood for traditional craftsmanship using simple forms, and often used medieval, romantic, or folk styles of decoration. It advocated economic and social reform and was essentially anti-industrial.

The BSMGP was founded in 1921, and is the UK's only organisation devoted exclusively to the art and craft of stained glass, historic and contemporary.
Since 1924 they have produced an annual journal which has become an important reference work on the subject. They have also produced directories of windows made by specific craftsmen. BSMGP journals and directories are sometimes quoted as "Sources for Dates and Craftsmen" on this web site.

High level windows

A projecting point formed by the foils (foil: a lobe formed by the cusping of a circular or other shape in tracery) within the divisions of Gothic tracery, also used as a decorative edging to the soffits of the gothic arches of tomb recesses, sedilia etc. (Pevsner)

English Gothic architecture, c1290 to c.1350

DEL. = delineavit
Latin: (he or she) drew this
© The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations 1998, originally published by Oxford University Press 1998.

(Literally "figured Cloth")
A repetitive surface decoration of lozenges or squares.

Painting or Stained glass in shades of grey. Often leaves or a floral design.

INV. or INVT
Latin: (he or she) designed this
© The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations 1998, originally published by Oxford University Press 1998.

A lancet window is a tall, narrow window with a pointed arch at its top

NADFAS is a leading arts charity which works to advance decorative and fine arts education and appreciation, alongside promoting the conservation of our artistic heritage. The Society renamed itself 'The Arts Society' in 2017.
The Arts Society 8 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1DA Tel: 020 7430 0730. https://theartssociety.org/

English Gothic architecture, c.1335-50 to c.1530

He (or she) painted it: an inscription found on paintings and stained glass following the artist's name.

(Literally "Squares")
Square or diamond shaped panes of glass.

Established by Royal Warrant dated 27 October 1908, the Royal Commission on Historical Monuments (England). The National Buidings Register (NBR) was established in 1940, and renamed the National Monuments Register (NMR) in 1963 when it was taken over by the RCHM. In 1999, with the rest of the Commission's activities, it was absorbed into English Heritage, and in 2012 was renamed the English Heritage Archive.
In 2015 the work of the NMR moved with the archive to Historic England and became the Historic England Archive. Based at Archive Services, Historic England, The Engine House, Fire Fly Avenue, Swindon, SN2 2EH

A pointed medallion