Refreshing the Glass Gallery

by Elisa Ricci, Curator – Applied Art

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery holds a world-class collection of glass, spanning from ancient times to the present day. The gallery has just reopened, having been refurbished using the existing display cases wherever possible, alongside the addition of a new case showcasing Roman, Persian and Egyptian glass from the Bomford Collection.

This three-year project has given new life to a gallery that had been affected by leaks and other structural issues. The redisplay now features over 510 objects from the museum’s glass collection, including exciting new acquisitions such as works by Chris Day.

The gallery also offers new interactive experiences, with digital displays, tactile objects and opportunities to explore a range of topics connected to Bristol’s history. These include the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved African people, the working conditions of Bristol’s glassworkers in the 18th century, and the environmental impact of glass production.

We are deeply grateful for the support of the Friends of Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives, Giles Woodward, Bristol Museums Development Trust, the generous bequest of Sylvia Coppen-Gardner through the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society and Linda Wilson and Graham Mullan, all of whom helped make this project possible.