Glass Collection
The glass collection consists of mainly two areas:
- Historic glass collection
- Contemporary glass collection
The historic collection is made up of mainly English and Irish 18th and 19th century glass. Highlights of the collection include a the group of over 350 drinking glasses showing their development since the end of the 17th century and a comprehensive collection of decanters which includes many rare marked Irish pieces.
Ireland was an important glass-manufacturing region in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries and the collection reflects this. Each of the Irish factories is represented. Without doubt the most important piece in the Irish glass collection is the bowl and stand that was once owned by the Marquis of Bute. It is one of the most spectacular pieces of Irish glass ever made and has no comparison in any public collection in Britain or Ireland.
Image: Decanter, Newry Glasshouse, c.1790.
Highlights: Objects of Desire Online Tour (Gin glass)