The Bomford collection consists of 215 items of Roman and pre-Roman glass acquired in 1977 and 1978 by Bristol Museum and Art Gallery with the assistance of the Art Fund and a series of national and local initiatives at a very favourable price.
Previously, Bristol had a large collection of English and Chinese glasses but virtually nothing antique. Bomford who had started its collection of ancient glasses in 1960 as he was fascinated by its 'delicacy and fairy-like quality'. Bomford had written 'How could anything so fragile still be in existence after being buried under the earth for such a long time.' Bomford had placed the collection on loan to the Bristol museum from 1974.
Provenance
Mr James Bomford