In an unfortunate but uplifting story, a Vermont church has recently announced that it is going to sell its Tiffany window in order to pay its bills, including operational costs for a homeless shelter that has seen an increase in demand since the economic downturn. The First Baptist Church, located in Brattleboro, Vermont, has fallen on hard times and has been unable to pay its bills despite cutting staff and eliminating half of the pastor’s hours. These budget reductions have not made much of an impact, and the church has even considered a number of moneymaking ideas including selling the pews and even the church bell. These options were not deemed lucrative enough, and thoughts turned to selling the faith community’s coveted stained glass window. The window, installed in 1910 was made by the Tiffany workshop and depicts an apostle richly clad in robes holding a golden book with a rich field of foliage and dramatic sky in the background. The highest bid so far has been for $75,000, an amount that could keep the church operating for another year and a half.
This move speaks to the good work of many charitable organizations and their willingness to part with material goods in order to preserve the best interest of others. The Brattleboro community has decided 20 to 4 that they would rather sacrifice this stunning piece of art than turn their back on the homeless of their community, a group who is growing because of the increasing amount of foreclosures and rising unemployment. This story also speaks to the importance of an accurate appraisal. Through an accurate appraisal, worthy organizations such as the church in Brattleboro have an educated asking price for the stained glass. An ill informed value would dramatically undercut the church and deprive it of the money it needs to serve others. MIR Appraisal Services, Inc. guarantees an accurate appraisal because MIR places a premium on research, insuring that your object is well understood before a value is placed on it.
Tiffany Glass Dome at the Chicago Cultural Center
Tiffany glass has long been an important part of Chicago architectural landmarks; the Art Institute of Chicago, the Marquette Building, Macy’s on State Street (formerly Marshall Field’s) and the Chicago Cultural Center boast Tiffany glass domes, vaults, rotundas or light fixtures. Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) decorated many of the gilded age homes in the United States including many in Chicago. Tiffany’s glass furnaces were opened in 1892 and many of the pieces were hand made and Art Nouveau inspired. Some of Tiffany’s stained glass windows are currently on display at the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows at Chicago’s Navy Pier.
Written & researched by Justin Bergquist
MIR Appraisal Services, Inc.
Principal Appraiser: Farhad Radfar, ISA AM
307 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 308
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 814-8510
Works Cited:
Schweitzer, Sarah. “Putting its Mission Before its Treasure,” on Boston.com.
“Tiffany Glass,” on Oxford Art Online.
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