Help with stained glass

Hello everyone, I am a new guy here and have just acquired this piece of stained glass and have a few questions. I am sure that it probably was once in a frame and needs to be now to help with the stability of it, does anyone know the best way to frame something like this to give it the support it needs? Also, is there any way to determine approximate age? It appears to me to have some age to it with bubbles in the glass and the patina on the lead. Lastly, I would like to know an approximate value, I think I did okay but i'm not really sure. Any and all help is greatly appreciated and thanks to all!

 

Two more

 

The sheet glass used to make this frequently is intentionally made with bubbles and other tings to make it look old. This looks like the type of thing made by crafters at stained glass craft shops 20-30 years ago. The theme is not one of the old traditional ones. Any good framing shop should be able to help you for the support.

 

I meant to add that the sheet glass is called "cathedral glass" in the trade.

 

Thank you for the reply, I would have thought a little older but just did not know. the size is what concerns me to stabilize it, it is 51 1/2 inches wide by 43 1/2 tall

 

I see your concerns, if set into a frame with a deep lip, some of the edge and corner details would be sacrificed.
I have seen large antique pieces with cross bars on the back, sometimes in an 'X" and sometimes vertical or horizontal. Don't know if this feature would have been original or added later to stabilize.
A custom framer may be able to set your mind at rest, there may be enough edge to hold secure without infringing on the design elements.

 

I know nothing about this sort of thing.
Are you in an area that might have a stained glass artist you could ask?

Or if this were going to be mounted into a wall as a window, how would a window contractor do it? Would they frame it first?

Only asking as I don't have any more idea how to do than you.

 

Frame it between two pieces of clear glass.

 

I used to make these types of stained glass pictures, and the 20-30 year age estimate is right...though I'd guess similar ones are also still being made today.

I would buy a pattern, a few squares of glass, some lead came, and cut and assemble it myself - not much instruction needed.

At the time there were pre-made wood frames you could buy to fit pictures - the middle of each side would be channeled out just wide enough to accommodate the lead came without overlapping onto the picture.

I don't recall the names of any of the stained glass stores off the top of my head, but you may try calling some and explaining how big the picture is and if they would have anything ready made to accommodate it.

 

This is done with copper foil and solder, I used to do that in the 80s

 

i suggest this style for good support...

 

I agree, copper foil and solder. I use to do lead came stained glass and the runs on it are more uniform.