Monday, May 07, 2012

Norwich medieval masterpieces saved for the county

Four medieval stained glass windows made in Norwich are to stay in the county after almost £200,000 was raised to buy them.

Experts believe the rare circular windows, known as roundels, were made in the 16th century by city artist John Wattok for the home of former Norwich Mayor Thomas Pykerell. In the 19th century they moved to Brandiston Hall near Reepham, but in the 1980s scholars lost track of where they had gone.

Last year they were acquired by a London dealer and offered for sale. To prevent them ending up in private hands, Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery raised £194,000 to snap them up, with the cash coming from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Art Fund, the Friends of Norwich Museums, the Pilgrim Trust, The Ruddock Foundation for the Arts and the Paul Bassham Charitable Trust.

Click here to read this article from EDP24