09
The allure of glass
Simultaneously delicate and strong, glass is a versatile material that has been used in many ways throughout history. Glass can be blown, pulled, poured into moulds and rolled into sheets, among other treatments.
This versatility makes it an attractive material for artists and makers looking to bridge the gap between beauty and function. Makers are also often drawn to glass for its relationship with light, which can either be enhanced or diminished depending on their chosen technique.
Written by: Ashley Weaver-Paul, Assistant Curator of Ceramics and Glass
Published: May 2025
Sourcebook for Design
- Museum Number
- W.31-1916
- Description
- Mirror
- Artist/Maker
- Chase, William Arthur
- Location and Date
- England, 1915-1916
- Materials/Techniques
- Wood, Gilt, Mirror glass, Gilding, Marquetry
- Museum Number
- C.193-1991
- Description
- Chair
- Artist/Maker
- Lane, Danny
- Location and Date
- London, 1988
- Materials/Techniques
- Glass, Sheet glass, Cutting (glassworking), Polishing, Assembling
- Museum Number
- FE.13-1998
- Description
- Buddha in Flight
- Artist/Maker
- Yang, Loretta
- Location and Date
- Shanghai, 1998
- Materials/Techniques
- Glass, Pâte-de-verre
- Museum Number
- W.10-1983
- Description
- Tea table
- Artist/Maker
- Fischel, Hartwig
- Location and Date
- Vienna (city), ca. 1904
- Materials/Techniques
- Mahogany, Maple, Glass, Copper, Cabinet-making, Glazing (glass), Inlay (process)
- Museum Number
- IS.1028-1883
- Description
- Jar
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location and Date
- Patna, 19th century
- Materials/Techniques
- Glass, Glass-blowing
- Museum Number
- IS.1028A-1883
- Description
- Cover (closure)
- Museum Number
- C.12-2009
- Description
- Capercaillie
- Artist/Maker
- Toikka, Oiva
- Location and Date
- Nuutajärvi, 2000
- Materials/Techniques
- Glass, Blown
- Museum Number
- IS.3108-1883
- Description
- Ewer
- Artist/Maker
- Unknown
- Location and Date
- Patna, 19th century
- Materials/Techniques
- Glass, Glass-blowing
- Museum Number
- FE.5:1-1995
- Description
- VENETIAN SERIES
- Artist/Maker
- Denji, Takeuchi
- Location and Date
- Japan, 1991
- Museum Number
- 1164-1883
- Description
- Perfume sprinkler
- Location and Date
- Iran, 1800-1883
- Materials/Techniques
- Glass
- Museum Number
- C.56-2002
- Description
- Dio
- Artist/Maker
- Hanning, Tony
- Location and Date
- Australia, 2002
- Materials/Techniques
- Glass, Casing, Sand-blasting
- Museum Number
- C.29-2020
- Description
- Contour bowl
- Artist/Maker
- Crooks, Robert
- Location and Date
- London, 2000
- Materials/Techniques
- Glass, Glass-blowing
- Museum Number
- 515-1896
- Description
- Favrile
- Artist/Maker
- Tiffany, Louis Comfort
- Location and Date
- Long Island, 1896
- Materials/Techniques
- Glass