Exhibitions >> Stained Glass Stamps- Christmas 2005
In the days when reading was not a natural skill for much of the population, pictures were the way that stories were presented in a permanent form.
The well-to-do could have manuscripts containing series of pictures but access to these was very limited.
Wall coverings, whether hung pictures, tapestries or murals, along with stained glass were the sources available to the wider public.
Churches were the most readily available of buildings visited by people on a weekly, if not daily, basis. The church used pictures to great effect for bible and morality stories.
Stained glass continued, and even increased, in favour as wall paintings diminished.
26p Mother and child, Mary and Jesus
A detail from the window at the west end of the south aisle at St. German's Cathedral, Peel.
29p Angel with the Crown of Glory
Another detail from St German's Cathedral, Peel
42p Shepherds come to worship the Christ Child
A further detail from the same window at Peel. st german's is unusual in having two windows side by side at the west end both depicting the Nativity. The larger nave window replaced a different one blown out in the great storms of 1903.
60p A less stylised verson of the Christmas Story
The Christ Child born in a stable and laid in a manger lovingly looked after by Mary and Joesph whilst the animals look on. A detail from the left hand apse window of Kirk Christ, Rushen.
68p Wise Men from the East
Often referred to as the Three Kings bring their gifts, but being warned in a dream that Herod intends to harm the baby Jesus they go home by a different. A detail from one of the nave windows at Kirk Christ, Rushen.