Incredible pieces of glass and glassware can be seen in museums across the world. Explore 7 of the finest.
Glass has always been a material that straddles the functional and the beautiful. Ever since it was first manufactured, it's been used for essential household items and for beautiful works of art.
This might not be something you'd expect a glass processor like us to focus on. Surely, our mission is simply to get the right materials for the job to our customers?
Well, we certainly take the functionalities of glass very seriously. When you specialise in
toughened glass, that's a given. But we're also fascinated by glass's versatile aesthetic possibilities.
You can see this in the wide range of
decorative options we stock. These range from
coloured glass to
digitally printed glass – and from
switchable smart glass to glass with
textile interlayers.
In this respect, we're not so different from the world's many glass museums. We, too, want to celebrate the way glass looks as well as what it does.
Glass is a product found in every corner of the world, so our selection of glass museums is truly global. Museums are often set up in places that have, or used to have, thriving glass industries. Other museums display pieces of glassware taken from elsewhere.
In this article, we take a look at seven of the world's best glass museums – from Turkey to Germany, from Iran to Portugal. We hope it helps you plan your next cultural trip or simply gets you excited about what the world of glass can offer.
1. Abgineh Museum of Tehran, Iran
Located in a pedestrian area of Tehran's old city, Abgineh Museum is home to more than 1,000 art pieces. These include remarkable samples of glassware and ceramics from pre-history right through to recent times.
The building itself, with its ornate facade, has a rich history. It was the private residence of Prime Minister Ahmad Qavam from 1921 until 1951. From 1953 to 1960, it served as the Egyptian Embassy.
Then, in 1980, Queen Farah ordered it to be turned into a museum showcasing Iran's artistic past. The architectural grandeur of the building contrasts beautifully with the delicate items on display.
2. Canberra Glassworks, Canberra, Australia
Opened in 2005 and located in a listed building, Canberra Glassworks is the largest glass studio in Australia. Visitors can watch glassblowers at work, explore a rotating selection of exhibitions and even have a go themselves in workshops and courses.
As well as the viewing platform, there's an on-site gift shop – and the glassworks are near the Sunday market. Oh, and it's free entry. A great day out for glass lovers in Canberra, we think.
3. The Glass Museum of Marinha Grande, Portugal
Marinha Grande is a jewel in Portugal's crown. Set in the middle of a 700-year-old pine forest and a stone's throw from some fabulous beaches, this small city used to be a hub for the glass industry.
Today, it's home to the Glass Museum of Marinha Grande (Museu do Vidro da Marinha Grande). It's located in the former palace of William Stephens, the English entrepreneur who came to Portugal in the 18th century and bought the Royal Glass Factory (Real Fabrica de Vidros).
The Glass Museum is Portugal's only museum of its type. Its collection is split in two. The first is a celebration of decorative glass and the history of Portugal's glass industry. The second is a "Contemporary Art Nucleus" in a converted factory.
It's open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Monday. The entrance fee is just €1.50.
4. The Glassworks Museum of the Ore Mountains, Neuhausen, Germany
Located in Purchenstein Castle, the Glassworks Museum of the Ore Mountains tells the story of the region's glass industry from its beginnings in around 1200.
Its displays include items of glassware from the time of Georgius Agricola (1491-1555). It also features a workshop, examples of historic writing implements and tools and historical information about the area.
And like all good glass museums, there are demonstrations of glass blowing. Visitors can watch as specialists manipulate molten globes of glass into gorgeous shapes.
5. Murano Glass Museum, Murano, Italy
The island of Murano is central to the history of glass-making. For centuries, its glassmakers had a monopoly on high-end glass and were pivotal in developing new techniques and technologies.
Murano Glass Museum tells the story of this industry – its rise, fall and rise again – along with fascinating insights into glass-making techniques. It also showcases a remarkable selection of glass from Egyptian times all the way to the present day. No trip to Murano is complete without a visit.
6. Museum of Modern Glass Art, Eskişehir, Turkey
The Museum of Modern Glass Art in the old town of Eskişehir, Turkey does just what it says on the tin. It's the first museum of its kind in Turkey and has exhibited 125 works by 68 international artists since 2007.
In the courtyard, for instance, a glass sculpture hangs over a fountain. Its tangle of glass tubes presents the viewer with a modern twist on a classic chandelier. This is just one example of this small museum's dynamic and colourful exhibits.
The museum combines permanent and temporary exhibits and also features a glass workshop and a theatre hall.
7. World of Glass, St Helens, England
Named England's Best Small Visitor Attraction in 2006, the World of Glass in St Helen's is a museum and visitor centre. It tells the story of the area through its glass-making past and teaches visitors about what the future of glass production might hold.
It's home to the original glass-making furnaces and some truly stunning examples of glassware. Visitors can also book a tour to see glassblowers at work.
The World of Glass is free to enter and open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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