Lead Came and Copper Foil Glasswork - Overview

Overview

Came glasswork includes assembling pieces of cut and possibly painted glass using came sections. The joints where the came meet are soldered to bind the sections. When all of the glass pieces have been put within came and a border put around the entire work, pieces are cemented and supported as needed. The work may be made waterproof by forcing a soft oily cement or mastic between the glass and the cames. A form of embellishment and gilding, such as Angel gilding and Eglomise, may be added to finish the piece.

• Schematic depiction of H- and U-shaped lead came cross sections, with embedded glass pieces.

• Glass art Tanja de Heus, Oldambt studio - the project is in process of being assembled

• Musée de Cluny students at work in a stained glass workshop - assembling glass with came

• Glass art Tanja de Heus, Oldambt studio

• Stained glass sign of a glass worker, an example of a completed work

• Buckled lead came window, an undesired result of completed work that requires restoration

Works may need to be reinforced, like large pieces or ones that will be exposed to the outdoor elements. Support can be provided as the piece is made through the use of reinforced and metal-covered lead came, the use of steel strips in the came channels, or use of rigid cames, such as copper, brass or zinc. Bars of steel or steel rebar may be attached to the back of finished works as reinforcement.