Celebrating restoration of castle’s historic window
THE PAINSTAKING restoration of an historic stained glass window dating back to the 1870s will be celebrated tomorrow.
An event will be held at Cliffe Castle Museum in Keighley to mark the reconstruction of the Butterfield window, which depicts wealthy mill owner Henry Isaac Butterfield and his family.
Originally made by Powell Brothers of Leeds in 1878, it was installed as part of the rebuilding of Cliffe Castle by Butterfield.
Its design was heavily influenced by Henry’s life in Paris with his wife, Marie Louise. The masonry was inspired by medieval designs and was painted in an extravagant style with gilded leadwork.
Glass panels were removed and cleaned by specialist stained glass conservation company Jonathan and Ruth Cooke Ltd as part of the project.
The husband and wife team also took on the challenge of making new stained glass panels to recreate parts of the original design.
Jonathan Cooke said: “As a professional glass painter, as well as conservator, this project has been a bit of a treat as well as an intellectual challenge for me.”
Also involved in the project were Bradford Council’s Museums and Galleries team, restoration company StoneEdge Ltd and wire-working firm Bethel Rhodes and Sons.
Coun Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s executive member for Healthy People and Places, said: “The team have done a fantastic job and the window is now much closer to the riot of colour that visitors would have experienced when walking into the castle in the 1880s.”
A celebration event will be held from 3pm tomorrow.