Whimsical decorative leaded glass appeals to collectors

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Dear Helaine and Joe:I own a number of pieces of leaded glass made by the Pike Stained Glass Studios of Rochester, N.Y. The themes include nursery rhymes, animals, and pieces with transportation themes. All are about 45 by 21 inches. Please provide me with values and some history.Thank you,A. S., Jeffersonton, Va.Dear A. S.:The making of colored glass has been around from a very long time. The ancient Egyptians made it, as did the Romans, but pieces fitted together to make windows (particularly church windows) really did not reach a zenith until the Middle Ages.During the time in Europe when most people were illiterate, church windows were made with images to illustrate stories and lessons from the Bible so that everyone could understand them and perhaps grasp a moral lesson. These assemblages of colored glass were arranged like pictorial mosaics and held together with strips of lead that in turn were supported inside a sturdy frame.Leaded glass church windows have been popular for more than 1,000 years, and during Victorian times, they became popular for use in upscale homes. A variety of late 19th and early 20th century buildings used leaded glass for decorative purposes, but by mid-20th century, the use of this art form was mostly limited to churches once again.William Pike was trained at Tiffany Studios in New York City, but in 1908 he relocated to Rochester and founded the Pike Stained Glass Studios. Over the years, he created stained-glass (i.e. leaded glass) windows for numerous churches in the area including the Third Presbyterian Church, which has numerous examples of his work including both biblical scenes and windows intended to be World War I memorials.In the 1920s the studio made highly decorative windows with sheet lead silhouettes like the ones in today's question. These panels were installed throughout the city in schools, residences and buildings both public and private. The designs were created by Norman Lindner, who received a design award from the University of Rochester in 1934. Lindner was the chief designer at Pike Stained Glass Studio from 1915 to 1940.The silhouette designs seen on the pieces belonging to A. S. were popular from the late 19th century through the first quarter of the 20th century and silhouette style motifs can be found on everything from painted surfaces on furniture to lamps, and bed linens.It is interesting to note that the Pike Stained Glass Studio is still in business and located in Rochester. The company was bought in 1948 by William Pike's nephew, John O'Hara, and the present owner is O'Hara's daughter, Valery O'Hara, who has worked there since she was 12 years old in 1966.Pike leaded or stained-glass windows such as these would sell well almost anywhere, but they probably are most valuable in and around Rochester. These are whimsical pieces and we particularly enjoy the one with the representation of the monkey. But the one with the image of the jalopy would also have great appeal to many collectors.For insurance replacement purposes, these windows should be valued in the $750 to $1,000 range each.(Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson are the authors of the "Price It Yourself" (HarperResource, $19.95). Contact them at Treasures in Your Attic, P.O. Box 27540, Knoxville, TN, 37927)