Brief description: Design for two 3 light stained glass window depicting saints
Two proposed designs for the East window depicting alternative groups of saints. In the left design, St. Peter is shown in the centre, clutching the keys to heaven. On the left, St. John the Baptist appears in his iconic camel hair loincloth, red cloak, cross-topped staff, and disc with a lamb, representing his welcoming of Jesus as the Lamb of God. On the right, St. Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier, cuts his cloak in half to offer to a beggar, who shelters behind him. In the right design, St. James the Great is in the centre, holding a book and staff. On his left is St. Fremund, chosen because he is venerated by Dunstable Priory, for which this window was designed. St. Fremund is a largely legendary saint, said to be a pagan prince who came out of a voluntary exile to miraculously save his father's kingdom from invaders. This story has obvious parallels to stories about Christ. On the right is St. Nicholas, now most famous as the inspiration for Santa Claus, with three small boys. A legend associated with St. Nicholas has him resurrect three boys killed by the local butcher to sell as meat during a famine. Both window designs show angels with banners in the tracery and have a quarry background. The windows are similar in design and offer alternative options for the same window. This design was created by Christopher Webb (1886–1966), an English stained glass designer based in St Albans, Hertfordshire. He studied at the Slade School of Art and was then articled to Sir Ninian Comper. During his active career from 1920 to 1964 he produced over 400 windows with a distinctive character and style.
Object type: preparatory artwork design
Number of objects: 1
Production date: 8.196
Production period: 20th century
Designer: Christopher Webb (1886 - 1966)
Dimensions: Height: 413 mm, Width: 355 mm
Original location: Dunstable Priory, Dunstable, Bedfordshire
Acquisition: gift 13.3.2024
Acquisition source: Edwards, J
This item is not currently on display and can only be viewed by prior arrangement
Accession number: ELYGM:2024.14.148
