City
Dublin: glass models, a city glassworks and a library room
Dublin’s museum and library sources connect natural history, craft and architecture. The Blaschka models mix glass with other materials, the Pugh glassworks made domestic and industrial wares, and Marsh’s Library has a reading room completed in 1703.
At a glance
A place worth remembering
Blaschka models combine glass with other materials
Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka made marine invertebrate models between 1863 and 1890, based on illustrations in scientific texts and sold by mail order. The National Museum of Ireland says that, although they are called “glass models”, they are complex composites that also include wire, wax, wood, plaster, gelatine, paper and animal glue. Models of the same species could use different methods and materials.[2]
The Potter’s Alley glassworks
In May 1863, Thomas Leetch and Thomas and Richard Pugh took over the Potter’s Alley glassworks on Marlborough Street. The National Museum says a wide range of domestic and industrial glass was produced there. Under the Pughs’ business, the engraver Franz Tieze developed a style ranging from naturalistic to neo-Celtic motifs. The works closed around 1890.[3]
Marsh’s Library: a reading room with “cages”
Marsh’s Library says its First Gallery and Old Reading Room were completed in December 1703. A second gallery, on a west–east axis, was built around 1708 once the shelves of the first were full. At the far end of the second gallery stand the “cages”, where readers were locked in to prevent them from stealing books. The entrance staircase has spiralling “barley sugar” twists, and the oak bookcases are topped with scrollwork and gilded decoration.[4]
Good to know
A few clear answers before you explore.
What materials besides glass are in the Blaschka models?
The National Museum lists wire, wax, wood, plaster, gelatine, paper and animal glue.[2]
What did the Pugh glassworks make?
The Potter’s Alley works produced domestic and industrial glass, with engravings ranging from naturalistic to neo-Celtic motifs.[3]
When was Marsh’s Old Reading Room completed?
The library says the First Gallery and Old Reading Room were completed in December 1703.[4]
The WorldStamped community
Every visit becomes part of a story.
- Members with public visits
- 0
- Places with public visits or memories
- 0
- Public memories
- 0
No public visits have been counted here yet. Add this destination to your own map and choose what you want to share.
Members are counted once. Counts include only eligible public activity from profiles that allow search discovery. Private and followers-only content is excluded.
