Opening Times: 6 – 15 Nov | Tuesday – Saturday (11am – 5pm) | Sunday (11am – 4pm)
Location: Millennium Gallery, 48 Arundel Gate, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2PP
About the exhibit
Step into a 1,600-year-old mystery and discover the secrets of the Lycurgus Cup – a world-renowned 4th-century Roman cage cup made from dichroic glass that shifts from jade green in reflected light to ruby red in transmitted light. Dr Lisa Hollands and Professor Russell Hand from the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering reverse engineered this ancient glass recipe and have partnered with glass sculptor, and Blown Away winner, Elliot Walker to create a contemporary sculpture that recreates this famous dichroic effect. See the specially engineered glass transform before your eyes as the light moves around the sculpture.
Short Film
Want to find out more about the creation of the glass and this piece?
In this short film, Technician, Dr Lisa Hollands from the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering and Project Manager, Christina Metcalfe explore the science and collaboration behind the project which was inspired by the Roman Lycurgus Cup – from experimenting with gold and silver nanoparticles to producing glass that shifts from green to ruby red in different light.