Famous c1800’s Lead-light Window by H. L. Vosz

Original and steeped in the rich history of Adelaide, this lead light window crafted by Heinrich Ludwig Vosz is a testament to the legacy of a master craftsman. Signed by Vosz himself, it came from the now-demolished Woodville Spastic Centre, dating back to the 1800s, and stands as a remarkable piece of South Australian heritage. An extremely rare one-in-a-lifetime opportunity with a true museum piece being available to the public. 

The window features beautiful lead lighting in completely original condition and original wooden framing, extruded uranium glass flowers in the centre, and the centre window being hinged to open.

Heinrich Ludwig Vosz, who arrived in Adelaide in 1848, rapidly ascended from his humble beginnings to establish a business that would become a cornerstone of the region’s architectural and industrial landscape. By 1849, after a brief venture into furniture sales and a timber yard partnership, he joined the Victorian gold rush, returning to Adelaide to start a successful business in painting, glazing, and wallpapering by 1853. His store on Rundle Street became renowned for selling window glass, paints, and wallpaper, leading Vosz to repay his German creditors in full, earning him acclaim for his integrity. His venture into the paint industry led to the foundation of what would become known as Dulux paints, a brand that has colored Australian homes and landmarks for generations.

His business interests extended to Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills, where he had a summer home and later started a glue works and tannery after a vineyard blight. Vosz also served as a director of South Australia’s Provincial Gas Company, highlighting his diverse contributions to Adelaide's industrial landscape.

By 1900, the Vosz enterprise had expanded significantly, encompassing a large section of Adelaide's city area, including properties on Rundle Street, Charles Street, Fisher Place, and additional facilities on Gilles Street and Maclaren Wharf, Port Adelaide. The business was involved in various operations: producing paints and calcimines on Rundle Street, silvering and bevelling mirrors, crafting stained glass and leadlight windows, and cutting and curving plate glass. His company is known for producing and installing most of the glass in Adelaide churches and notable buildings.

You can read more at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H._L._Vosz