"Every colour is a note, and the light was always singing; we only gave it somewhere to sing through." — O.F., stencilled inside the centre roundel
How the Window Works
Each colour of glass is one note, and they're chosen so that any combination sounds sweet. You cannot glaze a wrong window. That was the whole point.
The outer ring rings high, the middle ring sings in the middle, and the eight big petals hum low. The roundel in the centre is the bell for the top of every turn.
From the Glazier
I have cut glass for thirty-one years and I still gasp when the sun first comes through a new window. Every single time. My apprentices laugh at me.
Glaze it however you like. Lopsided is lovely. All-red is glorious. One green pane on its own in the corner is a small brave thing and I'm proud of it.
— Ottilie Fenwright
Glass Colours & Their Voices
Ruby is the home note, warm as a kettle. Marigold steps up. Fern is the bright one. Cobalt is the open sky. Heather leans toward ruby again.
Clear glass lets the light straight through without a word. That's not nothing, it's just quiet.
Window leaded in came of 3/8", cemented with whiting and linseed, puttied on a Tuesday. The sun is supplied daily, weather permitting; the management regrets it cannot be held responsible for clouds, though it is very fond of them too. Tap the centre roundel seven times if you want to read the stencil.