This stained-glass picture has been in our family for decades. When the light shines on the glass, the colours are more gorgeous than seen here. But it’s a bit of a mystery.
We are Canadian, so we recognize the iconic moose and maple leaf images. Canada is also a monarchy and Queen Elizabeth is our head of state, so the crown may represent that. But we’re not sure.
The neck and bodice look like a noble-woman’s from earlier centuries. The wings? And the other images?
Have you any ideas? Do share! Or guess. It’s bound to be better than anything I’ve come up with.
Cynthia Reyes 
No clue Cynthia, but it’s an interesting piece. Good luck with your mystery.
It really looks like a family crest and/or a family coat of arms. Refer to this following site for more details: https://thegenealogyguide.com/what-are-the-symbols-on-a-coat-of-arms
Thanks very much, Jean. I think you’re right and I will visit that link. Thanks again!
Hi Cynthia,
Isn’t it gorgeous. It has all the hallmarks of a heraldic coat of arms – the central crown below which is a knights visor and breastplate. The Prince of Wales ‘Plume of Feathers’ decorating the top of the crown and cascading down the sides. The shield would normally have a family motto … Fascinating.
Thanks, Clive. I appreciate your reply and the clues! Every so often, when the sun shines on it, we stare and wonder: Who made it? Who was it intended for? And what the heck do the symbols mean? So now, we are getting a little bit closer to knowing…. Thanks again.
A bit of a long shot this Cynthia, but I wonder if it’s an apprentice piece – these would have been made as practice pieces by the atelier’s apprentices and possibly subsequently sold.
‘Tother side of Canada to you I know but in Vancouver there is a fantastic stained glass studio run by John and Laura Gilroy. They moved there from my home town of Bristol some 14 years ago but they may be able to shed some light on it
Here is a link to their studio:
https://gilroystainedglass.com/
Thanks very much! I will follow up.
Try this link, Cynthia:
http://reg.gg.ca/heraldry/pub-reg/main.asp?lang=e
Or this one: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/article/heraldry-society-of-canada
Thank you, thank you! I will!
👍
It is a beautiful coat of arms, Cynthia. I always loved stained glass, and I bet it does make a very striking image in the sun. Best of luck finding its history in the various links people have sent you.
I’m afraid I can’t help, Cynthia, but that is a beautiful window.
I love a good mystery 🙂 You’ve got the links that will lead you on, eventually you might fall down the rabbit hole of genealogical research though ….. I look forward to finding out what you discover, either about your family or someone else’s or just about the different symbols put together in this way.
I’m afraid I have no idea, but it’s a great thing to have.
I am hopeless at solving mysteries but this lovely item is intriguing. I am wondering if it is from, or for, a church or memorial building. Period of design; gothic revival or later when colours were bright and bold. http://special.lib.gla.ac.uk/GlasgowCathedral/arms71.htm
I see a Viking.
A beautiful window. I hope the links lead you to full understanding
Not a clue, Cynthia, but I thought there were some good observations. –Curt
Such a beautiful window and with an enigma too! I hope you find out its history.
Oh boy. You’ve got me thinking. Regardless of the original meaning, I think you should give each thing a phenomenal meaning for your family now–could be so inspiring!
It’s wonderful! And so cool how very Canadian it is! It deserves a story so, if you can’t find the real story, make one up!
I love stained glass – this one is lovely! I would not be of any help but I read the replies hoping for an answer to your mystery. Perhaps the story lies in how your family came to have this gem as there has to be a story there! Cheers!
Cool, I’d have this one down as gothic revival – late 1800s early 1900s. Does it have an artist’s signature anywhere?
Definitely a coat of arms. Perhaps it belongs to a certain clan? 🙂
This is gorgeous, what beautiful detail.
I haven’t a clue, but what a lovely piece f stained glass! I just love stained glass, and when I was little, used to love sitting in a pew where the sun was shining through the colors all around me. Magical.
Oh best of luck … it really is quite lovely
Thanks! Thinking of New Zealand a lot these days.
What an interesting piece to have in your family. I read through the comments and love Clive’s description.
I’m glad you loved my description though I’m afraid it wasn’t very accurate in heraldic terms – there is the central steel helmet of a knight topped with a gold coronet adorned with two pairs of birds wings in opposing colours, and not a plume of feathers as I first thought. There is quite elaborate floral like mantling, surrounding the main body and shield, which I believe is meant to represent the flowing mantle or coat of a knight. These end at the base with small opposing crescents – I’m not sure of their meaning. The central shield seems incomplete somehow as there is no family motto or other motif. The Moose and Maple leaf are recognised Canadian symbols I believe though I’m not sure if they have any other significance. Altogether puzzling! Nonetheless beautiful.
The stain glass is lovely and it has been so interesting reading all the ideas and links that you have received. I hope they lead you to an answer.