Ornamental stained glass
From the collegiate church of Romont, around 1300-1380
Lead came, colourless and pot-metal glass, 83 x 45.5 cm
Vitromusée Romont, on loan from the Musée d’art et d’histoire de Fribourg, VMR 204
This type of leaded window, composed of geometrically cut colourless glass embellished with stained glass pieces, was common in both secular and religious spaces during the Middle Ages. The simplicity of the composition, the predominantly transparent glass and the absence of grisaille painting kept costs down – for stained glass windows were a major investment at the time. Very few windows of this type have been preserved, and this one is even more exceptional since it maintains its original lead came.
Found on the first floor of the sacristy of the collegiate church in Romont, the original location of the panel is not known, but it is suspected that it may have come from the church consecrated in 1297. It could also have been created during the reconstruction of the south aisle of the collegiate church between 1344 and 1382. The interruption in the frieze of triangles clearly shows that the panel was shortened to adapt its format to later use.