Collection: Glass | Portugese/Spanish

Portuguese and Spanish glass share a place within the wider history of European glassmaking, but each country has its own centres of manufacture, workshops and design traditions. This combined collection is a way to browse related geographical origins, not a suggestion that Iberian glass has one uniform appearance or that the two countries’ production is interchangeable.

In Portugal, Marinha Grande is an important centre for understanding the industry. Its Glass Museum preserves evidence of industrial production, craftsmanship and artistic work, placing decorative objects within a broader history of manufacture. This context is useful when considering glass beyond a single familiar factory name or export label.

Spain has a similarly varied history. The former Royal Glass Factory of La Granja preserves historical glass, production equipment and records of changing techniques, while Mallorca has its own tradition of glass workshops. Gordiola’s documented history on the island reaches back to 1719, illustrating the depth of a regional tradition distinct from the royal factory’s history.

Colour, texture and handworked form can be appealing features of glass from either country, but they are not exclusive national characteristics. Comparable techniques and shapes travelled across borders. A label may identify a manufacturer, retailer or distributor, so its wording needs to be considered alongside documented examples rather than treated as a complete record of manufacture.