The Association for the History of Glass


The Association for the History of Glass is an educational charity whose aims are to advance knowledge, education and interest in the study of glass of all periods of history throughout the world.

Our members’ interests include archaeology, art history, conservation, museum studies, glass collection and glass science.

Autumn Meeting 2024

A Fresh Batch: Current Research in Ancient and Historical Glass
Saturday 26th October

Our next meeting showcases some of the most exciting recent research into glass of all periods, from the Bronze Age to the modern era. It will be held online via ‘Teams’ and is free to attend. For more details, please click on the ‘Meetings’ tag or email the organisers, Sally Cottam and Ana Franjic at :- events@historyofglass.org.uk

We will also be holding our AGM during a break in the meeting at 1400. The AGM is open to all members and attendance at the rest of the online event is not required. Papers for the AGM and information on how to attend will be sent to members nearer the time.


Red Anglo-Saxon bead from the site of Lyminge
Glass News, No. 53!

Our members will now have received the 53rd edition of Glass News, full of updates and articles of interest.

To share your feedback or contribute to future editions, please contact glassnews@historyofglass.org.uk.

AHG at the EAA conference

The AHG was proud to host the session ‘Going with the Flow: The Many Facets of Glass in Past Societies’ at the annual meeting of the prestigious European Association of Archaeologists this August. More details of the conference can be found on the EAA website. To access the abstracts please visit our past meetings page.


Spring 2024 Meeting
17th May, London

Beads, rings, necklaces, hairpins – the versatility of glass has seen it used in countless ways to adorn the body. Our last meeting focussed on the role of glass in jewellery from the Bronze Age to the 21st century. To access the abstracts please visit our past meetings page.

Exciting Grants News!

Owing to the continued support of our members, we have been able to increase our Grants budget for the year 2024/25 by half! We are moving from a total of £2,000 to £3,000 to support research, projects and activities to advance the study of the history of glass Applications always open!


A Look Back at 2023

The Association had an exciting year, with two successful meetings. In the Spring we were in Oxford for ‘Everything Old is New Again’, which looked at recycling and reuse in ancient and historical glass.

In November we held an online meeting ‘New Reflections on Old Glass’ where we highlighted latest research on glass from the Bronze Age to the Industrial Revolution. For information on previous events, visit our meetings page.


Website Changes

There have been many website changes recently – please bear with us while we work through teething issues. If you notice issues, please email web@historyofglass.org.uk.