Seedcorn 2024/25

Unfortunately, little information or records about English black glass is available. Therefore provenance analysis is complicated but can hold important information as glass can be used as a global trade route tracer. The knowledge about the origin of black glass artifacts found in enslaved African and colonial contexts is critical to uncovering more details about the local economy as well as lived experiences of the people underrepresented in the written records of this era.

The English glassblowing industry was strongly bolstered and supported by colonialism and slavery but with very little of its history preserved, English black glass, exists in a perplexing state where the surviving narratives surrounding it are frequently biased and in dissonance with the values of our time. This not only highlights the necessity of new knowledge about black glass, but also presents a challenge: how do we tell the story when this knowledge is there?

What will the project involve? 

It has been previously established that the chemistry of the 18th century bottle glass can be the key to pinpointing its origin . Using Bristol blue glass as a benchmark, the research team will apply a geomaterial-centred approach, using very small concentrations of ‘fingerprint’ chemical elements detected both in black glass and raw minerals, to establish the connection to locally sourced glassmaking materials.

Alongside this the team will also carry out archival research into the the import and export of Bristol black glass. The research team will then produce an academic publication that will focus on the English black glass provenance analysis and its significance for decolonial archaeology.

The team will also craft a collection of stories that will be incorporated into the new glass exhibit at Bristol Museum Art Gallery.  Stemming from the research, these stories will allow the reader to make sense of the complex and multifaceted history of English black glass whilst also including their own interpretation.  

Who are the team and what do they bring?

• Bristol Museum and Art Gallery will contribute unique expertise and knowledge surrounding their Glass and Ceramics collections.
• Zakiya Mckenzie (social historian and poet), has experience in relevant research methodologies and skills, such as archival research. Zakiya’s creative practices are firmly rooted in her Jamaican heritage.
• David Barry ( glass artist at Bristol Blue Glass) has expertise in glass art and technology, specializing in custom glass recipes and historical glassmaking techniques.
• Claire Corkhill and Kirill Vlasov (Earth Sciences, University of Bristol) will provide their combined expertise in glass chemistry, geology and analytical techniques.

What is to come?

This study will serve as a pilot project for the research team, who will look for further funding to expand the work. The uncovered historical glass compositional information will also be invaluable for Dave Barry’s creative practice and research.