Medieval Stained Glass Windows fron Pavia Carthusian Monastery (Northern Italy)

Stained glass windows of the Carthusian monastery (Certosa) of Pavia (15th century) were investigated during a recent restoration campaign, to define chemical compositions and to understand manufacture techniques. Analyses were performed on six stained glass windows, representing S. Caterina (St. Catherine), S. Gregorio (St. Gregory), S. Agostino (St. Augustine), la Nativita` (the Nativity), S. Bernardo (St. Bernard) and S. Girolamo (St. Jerome), and on two undecorated windows. The methodological approach couples micro-sampling with micro-analyses. The detailed chemical analysis reveals four compositionally distinct glass-types: mixed alkali, soda and two potash glass types. These last two types display a rather constant MgO content but variable CaO content and define two main compositional clusters, CaO rich (Type II) and CaO poor (Type III), that have been ascribed to the pristine glass. The compositional boundary of Type II and Type III glass fits those already defined in recent literature. The mixed alkali and soda glass are considered to be related to later repairs. The narrow compositional cluster represents a good statistical result defining the composition of the pristine glass panes and allows compositional comparisons with stained glass from coeval cathedrals of Northern Europe (Germany, Switzerland and France). Close similarities are found to stained glass from Rouen and St. Maur des Fosses.