Blaschkas: Utrecht pearls of glass

The University Museum Utrecht holds a scientific collection of 128 blaschkas of marine animals unique to the Netherlands. These delicate glass models were made by father and son Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in 1883, commissioned by Utrecht University. At the time, the Blaschkas were necessary to study marine invertebrates such as jellyfish, sea anemones and snails because they were difficult to preserve as specimens. To preserve the fragile collection, some of the Blaschkas had to be restored.

Blaschka Jellyfish (Photocredits Guido Morafico)

Restore

To restore and exhibit the Blaschka collection, the crowdfunding campaign "Pearls of Glass" was created in 2022, in cooperation with the Utrecht University Fund; people could make a one-time contribution or adopt one or more Blaschkas. Thanks to this campaign, the museum was able to restore the collection and since 2023 the new Blaschka cabinet can be admired. In this treasure chamber in the museum, the glass models are highlighted like true jewels.

Watch the video about Blaschkas

Universitymuseum Utrecht

Pay It Forward Campaign

The restoration of the glass models in 2023 was made possible thanks to the support of the Utrecht University Fund. Each year, in its annual Pay It Forward Campaign the Utrecht University Fund calls on alumni and Friends to contribute to scholarships, changing projects in the fields of education, research, academic heritage and student life.

Check out Pay it Forward to see which four projects we are currently raising funds for.