‘Pieces of history’ that dealer saved from fire could be worth £50,000
INTRICATE ‘CARTOON’ designs for stained glass worth an estimated £50,000 were saved from the fire by an antiques dealer.
The owner of the ‘cartoons’ was due to burn the sacks containing more than 120 intricate designs from a Cornwall barn.
But antiques dealer Neil Potter, who was clearing the building in Penzance, realised the treasures for what they were – the work of William Wilson, a famous Scottish stained glass window artist.
The designs, made before a window is complete, were just some of those Wilson designed between 1905 and 1956 he made windows for some of the most famous churches and abbeys in the land.
On investigation of previous works by Wilson sold at auction, Mr Potter reckoned the entire collection could be worth anything from £15,000 to £50,000.
Mr Potter said: “They had been in the attic of the barn for over 30 years and could only be reached by ladder.
“When I took them out of the sacks, I had to shake off all the flies and spiders, which wasn’t very pleasant.
“Some had deteriorated after being in the barn all that time, but most of them are in very good condition.
“It looks as though they were painted in the 1920s and 30s and the majority are about to 8ft to 10ft. Though the longest is 21ft by 3ft wide – they are very impressive.”
Mr Potter, who has had provisional interest from dealers, would like to mount an exhibition of the ‘cartoons’ before they are sold.
Details on the work demonstrates that they were planned for windows, mostly in Scotland, such as St Andrew’s Church, Innerwick Church, Inverness Cathedral and Greenock Church.
“They are pieces of history,” he added.