Yale University is home to some truly amazing stained glass. A quintessential example of this is found at the Sterling Memorial Library. The level of intricacy and attention to detail is second to none. The Sterling Memorial Library is home to many remarkable collections. One of them being the complete works and personal library of a pillar figure of American heritage – Benjamin Franklin. The stained glass in the library was designed and fabricated by G. Owen Bonawit, a noted American stained glass artist. Bonawit often used lead overlays floated with sculpted solder to make his panels come alive to the viewer. Femenella salvaged all of the extant overlays for reuse, and fabricated new where they were missing. Scope for this project included, stained glass, protective glazing, bronze window restoration, retaining original decorative overlays and paint conservation to all leaded panels.
Approximately 70 panels of historic Bonawit stained glass panels with intricate lead overlays were restored. All of the original overlays were salvaged and re-used. The overlays use sculpted solder in the designs to depict delicate textures such as animals or the bark of trees.