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| Our Stained Glass |
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We have two large Stained Glass Windows that
pierce the north and south walls of the sanctuary.
Both windows are by Miss Clare Dawson, artist
of the mural paintings, and as with the paintings
smaller roundels are included which relate to
the main image.
The windows are primarily pictures in glass,
in a classic form with much white glass, rather
than the opposing technique which uses richer
colour and more decorative and abstracted forms,
and which is generally characteristic of medieval
glass.
Both are portrayals of archangels: St Michael
in the south window (left), and Uriel in the
north (below left).
St Michael is mentioned in scriptural and apocryphal
literature as the warlike enemy of Satan and
the help of Christians, and hence he is portrayed
armed and armoured! As is traditionally the
case with angels, he is portrayed with a nimbus
(halo), and is shown weighing the souls of the
departed.
The figure of the Virgin and Child in the roundel
at the top of the window may relate to the saving
role of the Incarnation, and may also represent
the link between the church of St Mary and its
mother church of St Michael's, East Wickham.
The amorphous green and red shape at the angel's
feet may suggest the dragon (Satan) whom he
has banished.
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Traditionally, there
were seven archangels, and Uriel, who is portrayed
in the opposite window, is the least well known
of those who are named. He appears most notably
in the apocryphal book of 2 Esdras, where he gives
seven visions to the prophet Esdras (or Ezra),
who is portrayed in the window in a supplicatory
position, to the left of the figure of the angel,
which wears a magnificent robe spangled with stars.
Esdras in the book is represented as asking the
angel many questions about the destiny of mankind
and the future of human souls after death. The
figure of God the Father at the top of the window,
reaching out to what appears to be human figure,
may thus be linked to these apocalyptic themes
of salvation and futurity. |
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© Paul Shaw 2008 |
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