Historical Glass Studies

This research approaches the history, the disclosure of cultural contacts and archaeological contexts of ancient and historical glass, aiming to place the objects in their time and physical space in order to better understand their functioning in daily life. Ancient and traditional production techniques will be studied, combining the analysis of historical materials with the making of reproductions in controlled conditions. We will identify chemical compositions and possible raw materials, place and time of production, as well as the specialization involved in the making. Archaeometric study of individual objects will be complemented with exploration of key documents with high impact on the history of production. We will follow the evolution of the recipes for glass production, relating them with technology, chemistry and material science. With this approach, we expect to disclose the chemical and physical phenomena responsible for aesthetic effects, opening new possibilities for both artists and industry, inspiring the creation of new artworks and products.