Exploring William Morris’s Workshop through Salisbury Cathedral’s Conservation efforts
The stained-glass Burne-Jones Window at Salisbury Cathedral, installed in 1879, has been removed for conservation for the first time in its 145-year history. The restoration work, costing nearly £120,000, will involve cleaning, restoring painted detail, and adding protective glazing. The window, designed by Edward Burne-Jones and made by the William Morris workshop, features ministering and praising angels within an acanthus leaf design.
Commissioned by the wife and sisters of George Eyre Townsend RA of nearby Mompesson House, the window represents the peak of the 19th-century stained-glass revival in Britain. Morris & Co, led by William Morris, played a significant role in reviving lost medieval techniques for stained glass.
Issues with the window at Salisbury Cathedral, including poor firing of the paint and water ingress, are being addressed during conservation. The quality of Morris windows varies, with some facing challenges due to the way the glass was made and installed. The conservation work will involve redrawing the lines of faces and draperies using reversible, non-invasive repairs.
Conservators at Salisbury Cathedral have consulted various sources to ensure the restoration is accurate. By securing the future of Burne-Jones windows, the conservation work offers a rare glimpse into the Morris & Co workshops.
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Elara Voss, graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with a Master’s in Fine Art. She specializes in contemporary sculpture and installation art, exploring themes of nature and human interaction. Elara’s works have been featured in several group exhibitions across Europe, and she is currently working on her first solo show.