Catching the Light from Dark Corners

As a native of Ohio and as the head of a museum with stained glass as important architectural features, I was interested in the recent Sotheby’s sale ($12.4 Million) of The Danner Memorial Window from The First Baptist Church in Canton, Ohio. Coined as “the most valuable work made by the early 20th-century decorative arts company ever sold at auction” (Tiffany Window Shatters Records as Most Expensive Ever Sold), the window is a stunning piece created by Agnes Northrup.

The Danner Memorial Window by Agnes Northrup. Photo by Kena Betancur. Getty Images.

Although many people associate the word glass with the name “Tiffany”, Northrup’s work for the Tiffany company (running the Women’s Glass Cutting Department) was some of the most impressive in the area of iridescent glass. Said to light up a room, even in dark corners, Northrup's iridescent glasswork glowed brightly, providing comfort, solace, and cheer to its owners. Her artistry was a prominent feature in church environments because the glass illuminated the metallic salts that Northrup applied to the hot glass.

Metal Salt Crystals. Science Photo Library. Photo by Andrew Lambert.

There is a special chemistry to glass coloration which sometimes involves the application of rare earth metal ions like nickel (brown glass), chromium (green glass) and copper (red glass). Agnes Northrup’s talent as a glass chemist is both recognized and owned by many museums including The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Art Institute of Chicago.

If stained glass is of particular interest to you, contact the historic Heard-Craig Center for a tour that features stained glass from the 1800s. Tours are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:00 PM or by appointment. Call 972-569-6909 for a tour of the elegant center. www.heardcraig.org