Franz Mayer of Munich, south sactuary window (c.1900), Cathedral and Metropolitan Church of St David, Cardiff.

Photo: Peter Hildebrand

Franz Mayer of Munich, detail of south sactuary window (c.1900), Cathedral and Metropolitan Church of St David, Cardiff.

Photo: Peter Hildebrand

Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral, Cardiff

Address

Cathedral and Metropolitan Church of St David, 38 Charles St, St Davids Centre, Cardiff CF10 2SF

Theme

Roman Catholic Cathedrals in Wales (3)

Comments by

Martin Crampin

Overview

Cardiff Cathedral was originally built by Pugin and Pugin as a parish church dedicated to St David, which was opened in 1887. It was elevated as the cathedral of the archdiocese of Cardiff in 1920. The stained glass at the cathedral includes work by Mayer & Co. and John Hardman & Co. The cathedral suffered considerable damage by incendiary bombs in 1941, resulting in the loss of the rich interior furnishings and decorative scheme. However, much of the stained glass appears to have survived.

Highlight

Sanctuary Windows

Artist, maker and date

Franz Mayer of Munich, c.1900

Reason for highlighting

The four pairs of lights in the sanctuary consist of eight scenes from the Life of St David, and are the most comprehensive set of scenes of the Welsh patron saint (or of any other Welsh saint) known in a church in Wales.

For further information see: St David panels at Cardiff Cathedral by Martin Crampin, 26 March 2020

Artist/maker notes

Franz Mayer of Munich was founded in 1847 by Joseph Gabriel Mayer (1808-83), a deeply religious man, who initially focused on producing stone figures and altars. However, in 1862 he commissioned his future son-in-law, F X Zettler (1841-1916), to set up a glass studio. The studio prospered and was particularly successful overseas, opening offices in London in 1865, Paris in 1869 and in New York in 1888. After Joseph Mayer’s death the business was continued by his English trained son, Franz Borgias Mayer (1848-1926). He continued the tradition of innovative techniques combined with a romantic outlook that glorified the Middle Ages. In the 20th century the importance of Munich Style stained glass declined and under the third and subsequent generations of the family the firm has evolved into one of the most innovate firms working in stained glass, producing work for such leading artists as Alexander Beleschenko and Brian Clarke.

Sources:
Franz Mayer of Munich: Architecture, Glass, Art by Gabriel Mayer (editor) (Hirmer, 2013)
Franz Mayer of Munich on Wikipedia

Highlighted dates at this location

c.1900 (Go to date search)