The Glass Flowers

The Ware Collection of Blaschka Glass Models of Plants, better known as the Glass Flowers, is one of Harvard University's greatest treasures. The breathtakingly beautiful and scientifically accurate models were made by Leopold (1822-1895) and Rudolf Blaschka (1857-1939), father and son glass artists who lived and worked in Germany. The Glass Flowers were commissioned by Professor George Lincoln Goodale, the founding director of Harvard’s Botanical Museum, and funded by benefactors Mary Lee Ware and her mother, Elizabeth. Over fifty years, from 1886 through 1936, the Blaschkas produced 4,300 glass models that represent 780 plant species exclusively for Harvard. This unique collection has educated, inspired, and astonished people for more than a century.

The Glass Flowers are on permanent exhibition at the Harvard Museum of Natural History (HMNH). The museum is open to the public and general admission includes access to the Glass Flowers. For more details, please visit the HMNH website: https://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/plan-your-visit

The online exhibition From the Hands of the Makers explains how the Glass Flowers were made and describes the University’s ongoing efforts to preserve the collection.