Episode 1: The Big Reveal 

Yesterday we shared our plan to learn more about a set of mystery windows we restored a year ago. After some investigation we determined the maker to be none other than John Mallon, proprietor of the Pacific Glass Staining and Embossing Works spanning over 40 years in Victorian-era San Francisco, California. Given that stretch the man was prolific, both introducing art glass to the Western frontier and filling innumerable churches and homes with his creations. Unfortunately, in spite of this breadth, not much was recorded of him or his installations. Thus we are inspired to capture and share as much as we can of Mr. John Mallon's industry and artistry. Visit our Table of Contents here.

Throughout our precursory research we realized three things about his work:

1. His windows are colorful, highly textured, and make substantial use of jewels. He seemed to have every hue known to man at his fingertips and used color generously and even with a bit of abandon. As a result, his windows are lively, even fun, and portray an element of excitement.

2. His place in history tells a categorically San Francisco story. Having arrived during the Gold Rush and then staying for several booms, busts, earthquakes, and other notable events, as well as introducing and providing signature decorative elements for San Francisco's Victorian architecture, John Mallon's story is a distinct San Francisco story.

3. Aligned to the era's penchants for innovation and industry, Mallon was quite the builder himself. Not only did he grow his business from sole proprietorship to a factory of artisans, providing art glass for hundreds - possibly thousands - of homes and beyond, he also took out a patent on a technique for fusing images to glass.

All three are interrelated. His use of color, texture, and jewels align to the period's new technologies in art glass production while his industriousness and innovative spirit intersect the predilections of the time. Understanding the work of John Mallon is to understand an important swathe of San Francisco history as well as the hundreds of years of stained glass history itself.

To kick off our journey we're sharing some Mallon work not from San Francisco but from San Diego, California. Namely because these windows best illustrate our interrelated ideas. These windows were commissioned for Villa Montezuma in San Diego's Sherman Heights. The home was built in 1887 for musician, writer, and spiritualist, Jesse Shepard. Needless to say, the place needed to reflect its master's eccentricity. Perhaps during his many travels Shepard landed in San Francisco and observed the work of Mr. Mallon. In any event, it was Mallon who provided the art glass windows for Mr. Shepard's opulent house.

Observing these windows you'll see the liberal use of color and jewels. Nearly every window on the main floor consists of stained glass with many dedicated to the seasons, poets, playwrights, and composers. One even features the face of Mr. Shepard. While it seems the characters are painted there is a chance they actually utilized the method subsequently patented by Mr. Mallon and accomplished by a chemical method of impressing an image on glass (or porcelain) then making it permanent by kiln firing.

That wraps up our first episode in this journey. Please continue to check back as this mystery unfolds with more beautiful stained glass windows to come!

ETA: Four years and a pandemic later, and we finally had the opportunity to visit the enchanted Villa Montezuma! If you are in the San Diego area, we highly recommend taking a tour of this beautiful house. The glass is something to behold and a remarkable example of Mallon’s range. You can read more about the house courtesy of the Friends of the Villa Montezuma.

We are researching and sharing the life and work of John Mallon. You can visit the Table of Contents here.

Villa Montezuma Windows | Courtesy Chris Nelson

Bibliography

Morrison, George H. 1888. "Biographical Sketches of John Mallon. Based on notes furnished by Peter L. Mallon to George H. Morrison concerning the art glass manufacturing company established by his father in San Francisco, 1858." UC Berkeley Bancroft Library.

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/sdut-Villa-Montezuma-museum-reopening-2015jun27-story.html

https://www.sandiegohistory.org/journal/1970/july/shepard/

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