Transparent knowledge, beautifully preserved.
The Glass Database is a free, open-access archive dedicated to documenting the global history of glassmaking. Through structured, interconnected records, it allows anyone—from curious browsers to seasoned researchers—to explore links between makers, materials, techniques, and time.
We believe historical knowledge should be accessible to everyone—without paywalls, noise, or compromise. This project is built for the long haul: open to contributions, grounded in care, and designed for clarity, accuracy, and quiet longevity.
[Start Exploring] [How It Works] [Support Us]
🔍 Browse by Category
Visual entry points for:
- Artists
- Manufacturers
- Distributors
- Objects
Each with a short explanation and a gentle push into discovery.
[See All Categories] [Browse by Tag]
🕵️♀️ Unidentified, But Not Forgotten
These are pieces we can’t quite place—yet. If something rings a bell, your insight could be the missing piece.
An image row of newly added entries, showing – Title / Maker, Date + Region, Mini confidence icon > Updated daily with reviewed entries, Other Known info
🌟 Featured from the Archive
Spotlights that change over time:
- Featured Artist
- Country or Period
- Notable Object
- Unusual Technique or Distributor > This week: Enamel painting in 18th-century Venice
Each with an image, a short teaser, and a link to go deeper.
✍️ Articles by Contributors
From research dives to personal discoveries, these stories come from the community—built on curiosity, shared knowledge, and a love for glass.
Published under real names or anonymously, every piece helps grow the archive.
[View All Articles] [Contribute Your Own]
(Below this, show 2–3 latest article cards: title, snippet, author label, maybe date.)
🧠 How It Works
There’s a little magic behind the glass.
Every entry is part of a carefully connected web—scored for confidence, reviewed by real people, and open to curious minds. Attribution, provenance, categorization—all visible, explainable, and evolving over time.
Want to know how items link to artists? Or how sources get evaluated? It’s all part of our methodology.
❤️ Support the Project
Help keep it free, trusted, and beautifully functional.
The Glass Database is free to use—but not free to maintain. Your support helps us cover hosting, preserve fragile histories, and improve tools for contributors and researchers.
We welcome one-time donations, thoughtful sponsorships, and carefully placed ads. No popups. No clutter. Just glass.