Celtic Studios (1948–1993)

Celtic Studios was the first firm producing stained glass in Wales in any quantity. The firm was established in 1948 in Swansea, by Howard Martin and his cousin Hubert Thomas, although they had also worked together in the 1930s. They worked in the tradition of the Arts & Crafts movement, and brought a degree of originality to their design. Their work in the late 1950s and 60s demonstrated a willingness to embrace a more modern aesthetic with full-coloured windows, suggesting the modernist inclinations of Howard Martin and John Edwards.

The Studio was responsible for more than 650 windows during its existence, many of which are in south Wales, but also in north Wales, England and North America. A third of their output, including some of their best work, was exported to Canada.

Further reading

Maurice Broady, A Vision Fulfilled: The story of Celtic Studios and Swansea's architectural glass tradition (Swansea: West Glamorgan Archive Service, 2010).

Maurice Broady, 'An Undervalued Welsh Art: Celtic Studios' Stained Glass 1933-1922' Minerva, vol. IV (1996), 3-13.

Maurice Broady, 'Departed glory. Celtic Studios: the firm and its glass 1948-1992' The Journal of Stained Glass, vol. XXI, no. X (1997), 44-67.

View this record on the Stained Glass in Wales Catalogue
View this record on the Imaging the Saints of Wales database

Search for further information about Celtic Studios on Google

Your search found 120 results.

	Gwroldeb Aberth Gwobr (Bravery Sacrifice Reward) firm/studio: Celtic Studios about 1945-1948 Seion Newydd, Morriston, Swansea window into the vestry
	Christ in Glory with Virtues firm/studio: Celtic Studios 1949 Church of St Jude, Swansea west wall of the nave
	The Annunciation firm/studio: Celtic Studios 1949 Church of St Mary the Virgin, Rhossili, Swansea east wall of the chancel
	St John the Evangelist from: St John and Christ with Children firm/studio: Celtic Studios 1950 Church of All Saints, Llangorwen, Ceredigion nave
	The Risen Christ Appearing to St Mary Magdalene firm/studio: Celtic Studios 1950 Church of St Elidyr, Crunwere, Pembrokeshire south wall of the nave (baptistry)
	Christ in Majesty with Virtues firm/studio: Celtic Studios designer: Howard Martin 1950 Church of St Agnes, Aberavon, Port Talbot, Neath Port Talbot east wall of the chancel
	Christ the Good Shepherd with St Elizabeth firm/studio: Celtic Studios 1950 Church of St Michael, Llandre, Ceredigion south wall of the nave
	Adoration of the Risen Christ firm/studio: Celtic Studios 1950 Church of St Gartheli, Gartheli, Ceredigion east wall of the chancel
	Harvest Window firm/studio: Celtic Studios 1950 Church of St Madoc, Llanmadoc, Swansea east wall
	Christ with Bread and Fish firm/studio: Celtic Studios 1951 Church of All Saints, Oystermouth, Swansea north aisle

Browse list of people in the database