William Holland (stained glass maker)
Encyclopedia
William Holland was a 19th century British
maker of stained glass
and other decorative pieces. His work is represented in churches and stately homes across southern England
, Wales
, and Ireland
. Holland of Warwick windows can be identified by his mark "Guil Holland Vaivic. Puix " written on a scroll in Latin in the lower right hand corner.
, such as Clement Heaton
In 1855 Heaton joined James Butler to start his own company in London
. The original buildings still stand, a white office on a corner is still attached to a long brick building which was Holland's workshop.
mar2006.jpg)
, London
, from from 1 May to 15 October, and is found in the Official Catalogue .
The catalogue lists exhibitors and also a description of various methods used to produce stained glass windows. Glass is found in Section III, Class 24.
Holland is listed in entry 63 in the catalogue as working in various styles:
He was one of 25 makers of stained glass listed.
Stained Glass was exhibited lining the eastern walls of the Central North gallery of the Crystal Palace
. Around 1845 there was a revival of interest in all types of worked glass, reflected in the choice of panes of sheet or window glass 49 inches long to cover the exhibition halls. "It has been a popular notion that this art was lost to us ; such is not the case, it has indeed been dormant, but never extinct. The fine works exhibited this year (1851) - the production of living artists- announce its revival." This was the first time that stained glass was exhibited in an extraordinary setting that emphasized it's artistry in addition to religious themes.
Displays were set up to explain the process of glass making. A batch of flint glass
was made from one part alkali
, two parts lead
, and three parts sand
with the best quality sand found at at Alum Bay
, Isle of Wight
and Aylesbury
, Buckinghamshire
. "The materials are mixed and then melted in a crucible made of fire clay, a substance that can withstand intense, prolonged heat. Melting takes 60 hours. At 12 hours the glass is honeycombed and very white and opaque and a few hours later is transparent with thousands of air bubbles, which eventually disappear along with the light purple tint: that is oxygen given off by the oxide of manganese. Tools are then used to manipulate the glass."
Flashed (two layers of colour) and stained glass are coloured on the surface only and through a process of embossing the white surface beneath is revealed. This was the process most likely used by Holland to illustrate his windows.
, a zealous Puritan
, fought King Charles II
and as part of this campaign, rampaged against the traditional Loyalist
church and its ornate trappings. His troops broke down the heavy doors of parish churches near and far, and rode on horseback through their interiors, destroying with their swords anything decorative. Priceless and ancient stained glass windows were shattered and the churches were laid bare to the elements through empty window frames.
In the Nineteenth century the Anglican church became interested in what had been lost: there were a few examples of medieval and Elizabethan windows that had survived this earlier devastation. William Holland's stained glass windows strongly reflect his interest in this period as he described his work to be "Stained glass of the twelfth century representing scriptural events." Religious revivals also influenced architecture and were the motivating factor in rebuilding churches. During a flowering period of reconstruction, older windows with plain glass and leading were replaced. See also British and Irish stained glass (1811–1918) and the Cambridge Camden Society
.
Church Newport IOW ( A Minster church
All Saints Church Wokingham
St James, Twycross
, Leicestershire
St Peter's Church, Diocese of Coventry
Chetwode
, St Mary & St Nicholas
St Mary & All Saints
, Haselor
St. Peter's Church, Barford
St Margaret's Church Whitnash, Warwick
Wellesbourne, Hastings
Church of St Collen, Llangollen, Denbighshire, Wales
Church of St Peter ad Vincula, Pennal
, Gwynedd, Wales (Holland and Holt)
Christ Church, Taney Dundrum, Ireland.
Christ Church, Bray
, Ireland
Brownsover Hall
, Rugby
, Warwickshire
incorporates a set of windows signed " Holland, Son & Holt, Glass Painters, Decorators, &c., Warwick, England, 1872."and "Studio William Holland; Warwick ".
In the EAST Sanctuary a very large stained glass window is described as "Five lancets each measuring 3760mm x 560mm; rose of one 6-foil and ten quatrefoils; two large mouchettes and several small lights."
Iconography:
King Solomon Building the Temple
Moses in the Bullrushes
Moses and the Brazen Serpent
Elijah Ascending to Heaven
Abraham Sacrificing Isaac
King Solomon in the Temple
Moses and the Tables of the Law
The SOUTH Sanctuary displays "One lancet measuring 2840mm x 560mm. "
Iconography:Visiting the Prisoner
In the NORTH; EAST chancel are "Two lancets, each measuring 2950mm x 560mm, one quatrefoil and two mouchettes. "
Iconography:Taking in the Stranger- on left
Clothing the Naked- on right
In the NORTH; WEST chancel are "Two lancets each measuring 2950mm x 560mm, one quatrefoil and two small mouchettes. "
Iconography:Feeding the Hungry- on left
Giving Drink to the Thirsty- on right
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
maker of stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
and other decorative pieces. His work is represented in churches and stately homes across southern England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Holland of Warwick windows can be identified by his mark "Guil Holland Vaivic. Puix " written on a scroll in Latin in the lower right hand corner.
Studio and Business
He founded his firm in Warwick at 3 Priory Rd at the intersection with St John's Road, as "Holland , William and Son, St John's , Warwick . Designers and Producers. Stained glass of the twelfth century representing scriptural events." Other 19th century sources quote his work as Elizabethan style. Again as a "stained glass and decorative painting establishment, where every description of design for monumental and baronial windows, enamelled and encaustic painting, gilding, imitations of wood" was executed. At his studio, Holland also trained family members and other well known makers of stained glassStained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
, such as Clement Heaton
Heaton, Butler and Bayne
Heaton, Butler and Bayne is the name of an English firm who produced stained glass windows from 1855 onwards.-History:Clement Heaton originally founded his own stained glass firm in 1852, joined by James Butler in 1855. Between 1859-61 they worked alongside Clayton and Bell and were joined by...
In 1855 Heaton joined James Butler to start his own company in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The original buildings still stand, a white office on a corner is still attached to a long brick building which was Holland's workshop.
Studio in later years
William's sons also became experts in stained glass, and a nephew, Frank Holt (1843–1928), joined the firm after which it was known as Holland & Holt and continued on as Holt of Warwick into the early years of the twentieth century.Representation at Great Exhibition
William Holland's stained glass was exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851 which was held in Hyde ParkHyde Park, London
Hyde Park is one of the largest parks in central London, United Kingdom, and one of the Royal Parks of London, famous for its Speakers' Corner.The park is divided in two by the Serpentine...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, from from 1 May to 15 October, and is found in the Official Catalogue .
The catalogue lists exhibitors and also a description of various methods used to produce stained glass windows. Glass is found in Section III, Class 24.
Holland is listed in entry 63 in the catalogue as working in various styles:
- the twelfth century style : illustrating scriptural events,
- the decorative style as in Wellesbourne church
- stained glass of the fifteenth century; perpendicular style for Shuckburgh ChurchLower ShuckburghLower Shuckburgh is a small village in eastern Warwickshire. It lies within the civil parish of Upper and Lower Shuckburgh, which in the 2001 census had a population of 82....
- stained glass in the Elizabethan style : emblazoned arms of the Queen of England from the present day up to the present period.
He was one of 25 makers of stained glass listed.
Stained Glass was exhibited lining the eastern walls of the Central North gallery of the Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace
- United Kingdom :* The Crystal Palace, an 1851 building in south London destroyed by fire in 1936** The Great Exhibition, the event the building was built for, sometimes also known as Crystal Palace...
. Around 1845 there was a revival of interest in all types of worked glass, reflected in the choice of panes of sheet or window glass 49 inches long to cover the exhibition halls. "It has been a popular notion that this art was lost to us ; such is not the case, it has indeed been dormant, but never extinct. The fine works exhibited this year (1851) - the production of living artists- announce its revival." This was the first time that stained glass was exhibited in an extraordinary setting that emphasized it's artistry in addition to religious themes.
Displays were set up to explain the process of glass making. A batch of flint glass
Flint glass
Flint glass is optical glass that has relatively high refractive index and low Abbe number. Flint glasses are arbitrarily defined as having an Abbe number of 50 to 55 or less. The currently known flint glasses have refractive indices ranging between 1.45 and 2.00...
was made from one part alkali
Alkali
In chemistry, an alkali is a basic, ionic salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal element. Some authors also define an alkali as a base that dissolves in water. A solution of a soluble base has a pH greater than 7. The adjective alkaline is commonly used in English as a synonym for base,...
, two parts lead
Lead
Lead is a main-group element in the carbon group with the symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft, malleable poor metal. It is also counted as one of the heavy metals. Metallic lead has a bluish-white color after being freshly cut, but it soon tarnishes to a dull grayish color when exposed...
, and three parts sand
Sand
Sand is a naturally occurring granular material composed of finely divided rock and mineral particles.The composition of sand is highly variable, depending on the local rock sources and conditions, but the most common constituent of sand in inland continental settings and non-tropical coastal...
with the best quality sand found at at Alum Bay
Alum Bay
Alum Bay is a bay near the westernmost point of the Isle of Wight, England, within sight of the Needles. Of geological interest and a tourist attraction, the bay is noted for its multi-coloured sand cliffs.-Geology:...
, Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
and Aylesbury
Aylesbury
Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire in South East England. However the town also falls into a geographical region known as the South Midlands an area that ecompasses the north of the South East, and the southern extremities of the East Midlands...
, Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
. "The materials are mixed and then melted in a crucible made of fire clay, a substance that can withstand intense, prolonged heat. Melting takes 60 hours. At 12 hours the glass is honeycombed and very white and opaque and a few hours later is transparent with thousands of air bubbles, which eventually disappear along with the light purple tint: that is oxygen given off by the oxide of manganese. Tools are then used to manipulate the glass."
Flashed (two layers of colour) and stained glass are coloured on the surface only and through a process of embossing the white surface beneath is revealed. This was the process most likely used by Holland to illustrate his windows.
Stained glass in the Nineteenth Century
During the English Civil War in the 16th century Oliver CromwellOliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
, a zealous Puritan
Puritan
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
, fought King Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
and as part of this campaign, rampaged against the traditional Loyalist
Loyalist
In general, a loyalist is someone who maintains loyalty to an established government, political party, or sovereign, especially during war or revolutionary change. In modern English usage, the most common application is to loyalty to the British Crown....
church and its ornate trappings. His troops broke down the heavy doors of parish churches near and far, and rode on horseback through their interiors, destroying with their swords anything decorative. Priceless and ancient stained glass windows were shattered and the churches were laid bare to the elements through empty window frames.
In the Nineteenth century the Anglican church became interested in what had been lost: there were a few examples of medieval and Elizabethan windows that had survived this earlier devastation. William Holland's stained glass windows strongly reflect his interest in this period as he described his work to be "Stained glass of the twelfth century representing scriptural events." Religious revivals also influenced architecture and were the motivating factor in rebuilding churches. During a flowering period of reconstruction, older windows with plain glass and leading were replaced. See also British and Irish stained glass (1811–1918) and the Cambridge Camden Society
Cambridge Camden Society
The Cambridge Camden Society, later known as the Ecclesiological Society from 1845 when it moved to London, was a learned architectural society founded in 1839 by undergraduates at Cambridge University to promote "the study of Gothic Architecture, and of Ecclesiastical Antiques." Its activities...
.
Examples of Holland Studio Stained Glass Windows
Sts Thomas MinsterSts Thomas Minster
Sts Thomas Minster, Newport Minster or The Minster Church of Sts Thomas, until 2008 Sts Thomas Church, is civically recognised as the main Anglican church on the Isle of Wight.-History:...
Church Newport IOW ( A Minster church
All Saints Church Wokingham
Wokingham
Wokingham is a market town and civil parish in Berkshire in South East England about west of central London. It is about east-southeast of Reading and west of Bracknell. It spans an area of and, according to the 2001 census, has a population of 30,403...
St James, Twycross
Twycross
Twycross is a small village and civil parish in Leicestershire, England on the A444 road. Parts of it are called Norton juxta — Latin for 'next to' — Twycross or Little Twycross...
, Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
St Peter's Church, Diocese of Coventry
Diocese of Coventry
The Diocese of Coventry is a Church of England diocese in the Province of Canterbury. It is headed by the Bishop of Coventry, who sits at Coventry Cathedral in Coventry, and is assisted by one suffragan bishop, the Bishop of Warwick. The diocese covers Coventry and Warwickshire.The diocese is...
Chetwode
Chetwode
Chetwode is a civil parish about southwest of Buckingham in the Aylesbury Vale district of Buckinghamshire. The parish is bounded to the southwest and southeast by a brook called The Birne, which here also forms part of the county boundary with Oxfordshire....
, St Mary & St Nicholas
St Mary & All Saints
Haselor, Warwickshire
Haselor is a village in Warwickshire. It is by the River Alne, about 1 mile east of Alcester just off the A46 main road to Stratford-upon-Avon. The parish church is remote from the present houses, the old village having been demolished after an epidemic of plague...
, Haselor
St. Peter's Church, Barford
Barford, Warwickshire
Barford is a village and civil parish in the Warwick district of Warwickshire, England, about three miles south of Warwick. According to the 2001 census the parish had a population of 1,171...
St Margaret's Church Whitnash, Warwick
Wellesbourne, Hastings
Hastings
Hastings is a town and borough in the county of East Sussex on the south coast of England. The town is located east of the county town of Lewes and south east of London, and has an estimated population of 86,900....
Church of St Collen, Llangollen, Denbighshire, Wales
Church of St Peter ad Vincula, Pennal
St Peter ad Vincula, Pennal
The parish church of St Peter ad Vincula in the village of Pennal in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, is notable as the site of the last senate meeting held by the renegade Welsh prince, Owain Glyndŵr...
, Gwynedd, Wales (Holland and Holt)
Christ Church, Taney Dundrum, Ireland.
Christ Church, Bray
Christ Church, Bray
Christ Church, Bray is in the Church of Ireland parish of Bray, County Wicklow located on Church Road on a rise, previously known as the Rock of Bray, behind Bray Town Hall.The church was consecrated in 1863 on St James' Day, 25 July...
, Ireland
Brownsover Hall
Brownsover Hall
Brownsover Hall is a 19th century mansion house in the old village of Brownsover, Rugby, Warwickshire which has been converted for use as a hotel. It is a Grade II listed building.-Early History :...
, Rugby
Rugby, Warwickshire
Rugby is a market town in Warwickshire, England, located on the River Avon. The town has a population of 61,988 making it the second largest town in the county...
, Warwickshire
Warwickshire
Warwickshire is a landlocked non-metropolitan county in the West Midlands region of England. The county town is Warwick, although the largest town is Nuneaton. The county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare...
Church of Ireland
Christ Church, Taney DundrumTaney Parish
Taney is a populous parish in the Church of Ireland, located in the Dundrum area of Dublin.-Early history:Taney's origins go back to the early Irish saint Nathi, who in the 6th century established a centre for monastic life. This centre may have been on what is now the site of St. Nahi's Church in...
incorporates a set of windows signed " Holland, Son & Holt, Glass Painters, Decorators, &c., Warwick, England, 1872."and "Studio William Holland; Warwick ".
In the EAST Sanctuary a very large stained glass window is described as "Five lancets each measuring 3760mm x 560mm; rose of one 6-foil and ten quatrefoils; two large mouchettes and several small lights."
Iconography:
King Solomon Building the Temple
Moses in the Bullrushes
Moses and the Brazen Serpent
Elijah Ascending to Heaven
Abraham Sacrificing Isaac
King Solomon in the Temple
Moses and the Tables of the Law
The SOUTH Sanctuary displays "One lancet measuring 2840mm x 560mm. "
Iconography:Visiting the Prisoner
In the NORTH; EAST chancel are "Two lancets, each measuring 2950mm x 560mm, one quatrefoil and two mouchettes. "
Iconography:Taking in the Stranger- on left
Clothing the Naked- on right
In the NORTH; WEST chancel are "Two lancets each measuring 2950mm x 560mm, one quatrefoil and two small mouchettes. "
Iconography:Feeding the Hungry- on left
Giving Drink to the Thirsty- on right