Glass

The V&A's Glass collection is one of the largest and the most comprehensive in the world, showcasing the development of design and technology in glass-making over 3,500 years. 

Our collection is particularly rich in vessel and art glass, with examples from the Italian Renaissance, the Middle-East, 17th – 20th century Britain and Europe, and contemporary art glass from around the world. We also hold an important collection of stained glass from the medieval period onwards. 

Search “Glass” in Explore the Collections

Features

Watch

How was it made? 
Glass kiln-casting

Watch the making of a dramatic glass sculpture, inspired by nature

  1. Read

    An A–Z of glass

    Do you know your aventurine from your zwischengoldglas? Sharpen up your glass knowledge with our A-Z
  2. Watch

    How was it made? Glass engraving

    Watch the beautiful, intricate and rare art of glass engraving using copper wheels
  3. Read

    Dutch wine glass – a secret love token

    Look closely to discover a hidden message of gay love engraved on this wine glass
  4. Watch

    How was it made? Glass-blowing

    Step inside Elliot Walker's studio as he creates a unique glass sculpture inspired by our collections
  5. Read

    Narcissus by Erwin Eisch

    Erwin Eisch’s desire to 'take the straight and bend it' revolutionised European studio glass
  6. Read

    Art Deco: René Jules Lalique

    René Jules Lalique was an exceptional artist, astute industrialist, and a driving force of the Art Deco style
  7. Read

    Antarctic Expedition by James Maskrey

    James Maskrey's beautiful contemporary glassworks inspired by the ill-fated polar explorations of Captain Scott

  8. Watch

    How was it made? 3D scanning and printing

    See how 3D scanning and printing techniques are used to reproduce an object from our collection
  9. Watch

    Unboxing Christmas baubles

    Watch as we take a look at a selection of delicate Christmas baubles from Germany
  10. Read

    The Luck of Edenhall: history and legend of a 14th-century glass beaker

    Its unique, superstition-wrapped history makes this antique drinking glass one of the museum's most intriguing objects
  11. Read

    Stained glass: the Gothic Revival and beyond

    How the Victorians revived the art of stained glass – laying the foundations for a modern take on decorated windows
  12. Watch

    Hyperreal glass sculpture: ASMR

    Can you resist reaching out and touching it?

Collection highlights

Show all
  1. form
    Soft in Pink, glass form, designed and made by Maria Bang Espersen/The Glass Factory, 2018, Sweden
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  2. goblet
    Goblet, engraved by Franz Paul Zach, Schachtenburg glassworks, 1855, Zwiesel, Germany
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  3. perfume sprinkler
    Perfume sprinkler, 17th century, Venice
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  4. form
    Form, made by René Roubicek and Borské sklo glassworks, 1959, Nový Bor, Czechoslovakia
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  5. finger bowl
    Finger bowl, manufactured by Davenport & Co., 1837, Longport, Staffordshire, England
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  6. Goblet with trailed decoration and engraved with diamond-point with initials
    Goblet, made by Jacob Verzelini at Crutched Friar's Glasshouse, engraved by Anthony De Lysle, England
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  7. Drinking glass with applied prunts (spiky detailing) on the stem, and trailed and tooled footrim
    Drinking glass, 1590 – 1625, Germany and the Netherlands
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  8. Transparent glass water jug decorated with white flowers which have a yellow centre and green stems and leaves
    Water jug, manufactured by W.H.B. & J. Richardson, 1848, England
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  9. Glass radiator mascot for a car. Shaped like a screaming face, with wind blowing hair/head back in pleats
    Victoire, radiator mascot, designed by René Lalique, made by Lalique glassworks, about 1925, France
  10. mosque lamp
    Mosque lamp, 1320 – 1330, Egypt
    V&A South Kensington
    On display
  11. 'Deep Blue and Bronze Gold Persian Set' one of eight parts, Dale Chihuly, 1999, USA. Museum no. C.108-2001. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
  12. flask
    Flask, 1401 – 1336 BC, Malkata, Egypt
    V&A South Kensington
    On display

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Background image: Jellyfish installation, made by Steffen Dam, Handrup (Ebeltoft), Denmark, 2010. Museum no. C.92-2011. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London