Welcome to GlassWear: A study of glass jewellery through the ages! Join us for the The Asssociation for the History of Glass’ spring study day at St James the Less Church in London, UK on 17 May 2024. The conference will focus on the role of glass in bodily adornment. We are bringing together researchers exploring different practices and attitudes to glass as a part of dress elaboration throughout the five millennia of its history.
When was it used and how? What were the social, technological, gender, religious, and cultural aspects and traditions of wearing glass? Has glass democratised jewellery? When is it considered a sub-par replacement, and when is it admired in its own right? Is its path from a luxury item to an affordable costume accessory straightforward, or does it continue to be a relevant affluence signifier in some contemporary contexts, and augmented realities of the future?
Come join us for an exciting day of glass research! The programme will feature speakers from archaeological, material-based, art-historical, and cultural studies, and glass jewellery from archaeological, historical, and contemporary periods.
