Salisbury Cathedral has successfully completed the restoration of a magnificent stained-glass window designed by pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones and textile artist and poet William Morris. The two-year project, led by head glazier Sam Kelly, has been hailed as a huge success, and the artwork will be celebrated and rededicated at an evensong service this week.
Challenges of the Restoration
Sam Kelly admitted there had been nights of broken sleep while overseeing the delicate project. 'It would be wrong to say I didn't lie awake sometimes,' he said. 'You are working on something that is very precious, and if it fell on the floor, it would be very bad.' Fortunately, the 6.5-metre (21ft) tall 'Angels' window remained intact throughout the process.
Historical Significance
The window, created in the late 19th century, depicts 'angeli ministrantes' and 'angeli laudantes' – ministering and praising angels. Burne-Jones designed the angels, while Morris contributed the decorative leaf design. Over the past 150 years, water ingress, condensation, and deterioration of painted detail necessitated the restoration.
Meticulous Process
Kelly, who began as an apprentice at the cathedral 40 years ago and now oversees all stained-glass care, said the first task in February 2024 was safely removing the heavy window from its position above the south quire aisle. 'It wasn't very stable, and you have to be careful not to cause further damage,' he explained. Once the window was safely in the on-site workshop, it was meticulously documented to plan the restoration and create a record for future custodians.
Kelly and his colleagues – Vicky Pearce, Kate Kersey, and Alfie Durrant – carefully cleaned the glass to restore original colours. Using Burne-Jones's chalk design, they restored lost details onto 2mm thick 'backing glass' rather than altering the original surface. 'Nothing has been done to the original glass other than light cleaning,' Kelly emphasised. 'All additional detail is on the backing glass.' Protective glazing and oak frames have been added to prevent further deterioration.
Praise and Future Plans
The dean of Salisbury, the Very Rev Nicholas Papadopulos, praised the project: 'The team has restored the contours, clarity, and colour of this 19th-century masterpiece through their painstaking work. We are proud that the artistry has been preserved and enhanced with contemporary skill. Sunlight will illuminate Burne-Jones's angels once more, and their beauty will lift our spirits and rekindle our hope for many more years.'
The restored window is now on display in the south quire aisle and will be rededicated at evensong on 7 May at 5:30pm.
