JONATHAN & RUTH COOKE

Conservation  

Our work mainly comprises the conservation and restoration of ecclesiastical stained glass and historic glazing throughout the UK and Channel Islands.  

We have also undertaken projects for the National Trust and national and regional museums,  including the Bowes Museum, Cartwright Hall and Cliffe Castle Museum (Bradford Museums), David Parr House, Durham Museum and Heritage Centre, Jersey Heritage and the Glass Rainbow Trust (Jersey), Kiplin Hall,  Leeds Museums, Oxford Museum of Modern Art, Manx Museum, Royal Academy of Dance, Salford Museums, Soane Museum, and the William Morris Gallery.

Private clients include members of the Historic Houses Association.

 

From our Yorkshire workshop, we also offer a full restoration and design service for domestic projects in north and west Yorkshire, and east Lancashire, and further afield on request.  

 

Consultancy 

We undertake research and inspections of stained glass and leaded glazing, and produce detailed condition reports for grant and Faculty applications and to help custodians and owners determine priorities for maintenance and repair.  

We undertake on-site catalogues and condition assessments of stained glass collections, both in storage and on display.  

We work with architects and other professionals to produce specifications on projects for tender.  We can also coordinate multi-disciplinary projects, as lead contractor, where appropriate. 

We provide a monitoring service on "at risk" windows. 

 

Jonathan also acts as an independent expert for auction houses and collectors and has travelled to Paris and London at short notice to carry out inspections and detailed assessments of significant stained glass, including in 2022 a single 13th-c panel which subsequently achieved £110,000 at auction.

 

We offer demonstrations and custom presentations, sometimes as a condition of grant,  engaging with heritage custodians, schools, arts groups and the wider public.  

 

Restoration glass painting

The recreation of lost glass is an important part of our practice. Jonathan has researched glass painting techniques of all dates and all major studios to ensure that newly painted glass is sympathetic to the original intention and appearance. 

We also provide specialist glass painting services to other stained glass studios. 

 

Conservation records  

We routinely retain records - images, diagrams sketches and notes - even when this is not a requirement of grant or other permissions.  Our seamless documentation from first visit to completion includes detailed pre - and post-conservation images and is compliant for all grant-aided projects.

 

New commissions  

We undertake a small number of new commissions.  We also create  windows designed by other stained glass artists, providing a range of services as required. In 2022 we painted and leaded a window to Gareth Morgan's design for a chapel in Penarth

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Training 

We provide bespoke craft skills training packages, and also offer placements for stained glass students and award-winners. 

Jonathan is a member of the Trailblazer Group which has set up the new UK government-funded standard for apprenticeship in leaded glazing launching later this year, having formerly been a mentor for the Livery Companies' pilot apprenticeship scheme.  

In summer 2022 he worked with young crafts trainees for the Landmark Trust in Week 4 of the Sector Based Academy Work Programme  (SWAP) at Calverley Old Hall.

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Glass painting workshops

For nearly 30 years, Jonathan has taught short glass painting courses at Swansea College of Art and similar courses in our workshop, suitable for all skill levels and experience. His students have included several well-known glass artists and restoration glass painters from major studios as well as novice glass painters and artists. These courses have received consistently excellent feedback.