Lyon | Ferguson and Urie

The Argus, Melbourne, Monday 2^nd September 1861, page 5.

“Amongst the contributions which Tarrengower will forward to the forthcoming Exhibition will be a stained-glass window, in the Early English style, the work of Mr. John Lyon, of Maldon”.

There is obviously insufficient detail in the article to distinguish the description of this window from many other windows described as of “Early English style” and there have been no other articles of the time to associate it by dates. The only other extant window from the same period of late 1861, is the Ferguson & Urie two light chancel window of St Margaret’s Church in Eltham which is the earliest known extant window by the firm with evidence of communication with Ferguson & Urie and the church in November 1861.

Lyon is not known to have joined Ferguson & Urie until late 1861, making this ‘Tarrengower’ window his own work, but collaboration is possible. If he had created the window completely of his own accord it could only have been done on a very small scale, assuming he did not have any commercial sized kiln for firing the glass in the tiny township of Maldon. Interestingly the exhibition list of awards published in December 1861, mentions Lyon’s entry as a ‘design for stained glass’ and not actually a window!

The English stained glass artist David Relph Drape is known to have been in Maldon at the exact same time as Lyon and they are both likely to have collaborated in the design and manufacture of the two light west window of the Holy Trinity church in Maldon in 1863. Drape was also the architect of Holy Trinity and commenced work with Ferguson & Urie as a stained glass artist on the 8th November 1863.

John Lamb Lyon, Stained Glass Artist, (1835-1916)

External links:

Biography: John Lamb Lyon (1835–1916)

Short link to this page: https://wp.me/p28nLD-19t

In early April 1862, two stained glass windows were on display at the Ferguson & Urie workshops in Curzon Street North Melbourne.

The Argus, Melbourne, Tuesday 8^th April 1862, page 4.

“Yesterday our attention was directed to two stained-glass windows, at the establishment of Messrs. Ferguson and Urie, Curzon-street, North Melbourne. They are both what are called ‘single light’ windows, and are adapted for ecclesiastical edifices. The design of one is in the early English style of architecture, and that of the other is the decorated style. The centre of the former window is occupied by a figure of the Saviour, seated upon a throne, underneath a canopy, and holding in one hand the symbols of Majesty. Above the canopy is the paschal lamb, and at the bottom of the window is the scriptural text, “He shall judge the world in righteousness”. The Principal feature of the second window are a cross and crown, with the inscription, “Blessed are the dead”. Both designs are exceedingly chaste, and the colours rich and harmonious. As specimens of painted glass, the windows are alike creditable to Messrs. Ferguson and Urie, by whom they were made, and to Mr. Lyons[sic], by whom they were designed. A beautiful triple light window, executed by the same gentlemen, has recently been placed in St. Paul’s Church, Ballarat. The two already referred to, remain on view at Messrs. Ferguson and Urie’s, and are well worthy of inspection, both for their intrinsic merits and as specimens of a new branch of the Victorian industry”.

The location of the first window depicting Christ is not known. The triple light ‘decorated’ window for St. Paul’s Church at Ballarat is extant.

The Ferguson & Urie chancel window at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Humfray Street Ballarat. Photo: Ray Brown 17 Mar 2011.

St. Paul's, Bakery Hill, Ballarat, Victoria

St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Humfray Street Ballarat. Photo: Ray Brown 17 Mar 2011

Ferguson and Urie

Colonial Victoria's Historic Stained Glass Craftsmen 1853-1899

Category Lyon

02-09-1861: Tarrengower Victoria. John Lamb Lyon stained glass.

08-04-1862: St Paul’s, Bakery Hill, Ballarat, Victoria.

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