Glass: A Short History

Every purchase supports the British Museum The fragile beauty of glass has ensured its popularity through the ages in forms ranging from simple beakers to ornate decorative masterpieces This beautifully illustrated book traces the story of glass from its origins in Mesopotamia some 5000 years ago, to the creation of the elegant vessels of the Islamic Near East, the superb mastery of Renaissance Venice and the creation of modern glassware for daily use This is the only book available to offer a concise history of glassmaking from its origins in western Asia in 2500BC to the present day, while a comprehensive final chapter explores the future of glassmaking as a medium for artistic expression, considering works by contemporary artists from all over the world This title is richly illustrated with 120 superb pieces from the collections of the British Museum and The Corning Museum of Glass, the world's largest collection of art and historical glass