Turner Museum of Glass
Founded in 1943 by Professor WES Turner, the Turner Museum of Glass houses one of the most comprehensive collections of 19th and 20th century glass in the UK.
This small but unique attraction, housed within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Sheffield, showcases a remarkable collection of glass objects from around the world. From an 8th century Egyptian bottle to contemporary glass art, the display is ideal for glass enthusiasts or anyone interested in learning more about the process of glassmaking.
The collection
Assembled by Turner largely during glassworks visits, particularly throughout Europe and the USA, the collection is unrivalled in its display of work from the 1920s to the 1950s. The cases of glass artefacts illustrate forming and colouring techniques and include vases, bottles, plates and paperweights, with one specifically devoted to 18th-century wine glasses.
Collection highlights
The display includes cut glass, hydrospheres and antique wine glasses. Highlights include glass sculptures Aperture by Galia Amsel and Piano-playing hands by Denis Mann, studio glass pieces by Sam Herman, Anne Warf, Anna Dickinson and Keiko Mukaide, and ltalian Glass from Murano, Venice. You can also see the glass fibre wedding dress and accessories worn by renowned artist and glass engraver, Helen Nairn Munro, when she married Professor Turner.
Please be aware that the space where the collection is displayed is used by students and staff from the department and that some teaching may be taking place.
Visitor information
Address
University Of Sheffield, Sir Robert Hadfield Building, Mappin Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S1 3JD
01142 225514
Opening times
Mon-Fri 10am-4pm
Exclusions and safety measures
Closed bank holidays & Good Friday
Closed 24 Dec-1 Jan
