Object Description
An antique Hardman & Co stained glass panel of biblical soldier.
Competently painted, this dramatic stained glass window dates to 1889, once a part of an impressive larger window named ‘Epistle for All Saints Day’ reclaimed from the south transept of All Saints Emscote church, Warwick.
The inscription at the foot of the window is a part of the quote displayed across the various panels making up the larger window, that reads ‘there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse & a branch shall grow out of his roots.’
The names Ozias and Joram are written in scrolls above and below the figure.
Ozias was the son of King Amaziah of Judah and the father of King Joash, as in the Old Testament.
Known for being a righteous king, Ozia reigned for 52 years and was a great warrior, who led the people of Judah in battle against the Philistines.
Joram, also spelt Jehoram, was predominately known for two things; beginning his reign as king during the 18th year of Jehoshaphat of Judah for 12 years and his regrettable story of sin.
Jehoram preferred to follow the ways of his evil wife and parents rather than his godly father. Jehoram’s evil had such a bad effect it grew and grew before consuming other victims.
He can be seen in this panel sat down with a vacant stare, almost looking solitary yet ready to take on anyone who might try to cross him.
This is just one of eight stained and hand painted panels that once made this striking church window.
Now a stunning and detailed interior feature, the vivid colours of this panel would look striking flooded with daylight in a traditional home, a sympathetically decorated converted chapel or ecclesiastical building.
Hardman & Co
Renowned makers Hardman & Co made Birmingham a popular spot for stained glass operating between 1838 and 2008 as a world-leading stained-glass manufacturer.
Founder John Hardman led the company to be one of the country’s leading manufacturers in the 19th and 20th century.
They went on to create windows for churches and houses all over the world. Most of the company’s windows were made for buildings in Britain and Ireland.
Many also went overseas to countries which were then part of the British Empire such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India. Others also went to the USA.
Some windows went to churches in big cities while others went to tiny settlements.
Many of Hardman & Co’s records and designs are now divided between the Library of Birmingham and Birmingham Museums Trust.