Rare glass returns to Exeter

The glass is characteristic of the cathedral's east window

Some rare examples of medieval stained glass made in Exeter have been restored, thanks to the detective work of a museum curator.

John Allan, from Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum, spotted the panels in a Sotheby sale.

The glass was described in the catalogue as East Anglian but Mr Allan recognised the characteristic features of the Exeter glaziers' workshop.

Close comparison of the details with those of the figures of Exeter Cathedral's east window left no doubt that the glass was made by the same craftsmen.

It's a once-in-a-lifetime moment when something hitherto completely unrecorded reappears like this

John Allan

The panels were bought by the museum last year with financial help from various museum trust funds.

The Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass paid for their restoration.

The panels date from about 1460 -85. One of them shows a standing angel, dressed in a feathered suit, within a brilliant blue surround.

Angel and saint

The other shows a saint bishop, possibly St Maughan, after whom St Maughan in Pydar in Cornwall is named.

They probably derive from a parish church in Devon or Cornwall which commissioned the Exeter workshop.

Very little of this style of glass has survived.

Mr Allan said: "It's a once-in-a-lifetime moment when something hitherto completely unrecorded reappears like this.

"It would be extraordinary to ever find again two Medieval windows depicting two complete figures."

The windows are currently on display at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum in Exeter.