About
What to expect
The museum shows silver glass, also called boerenzilver or armeluiszilver, as part of its Christmas tradition.
- Silver glass started around 1825 in Bohemia.
- Mercury silvering was toxic, costly and distorting.
- From about 1840, silver nitrate was used.
- Silver glass is blown hollow.
- Most pieces are double-walled with a small opening.
- Some are single-walled, like a Christmas bauble.
- It looks like precious silver and suggests wealth.
- Saint figures, candlesticks and cups were made.
- Candlelight reflects and brightens the room.
- Air with sulfur can discolour the silver.
Questions
When does Christmas at the Nationaal Glasmuseum start and end?
Christmas at the Nationaal Glasmuseum runs Saturday, 21 November 2026.
Where is Christmas at the Nationaal Glasmuseum?
Christmas at the Nationaal Glasmuseum takes place at Nationaal Glasmuseum, Lingedijk 28, Leerdam.
What is silver glass?
Silver glass is decorative glass that looks like precious silver.
In the Netherlands it is also called boerenzilver or armeluiszilver.
It gives an idea of wealth at home.
How is silver glass made?
Most pieces are double-walled with a small opening at the bottom.
A silver solution is poured in.
The object is turned so the solution covers the inside.
The excess silver nitrate is poured out.
The opening is closed so fresh air cannot enter.
Why can silver glass discolour?
Air can contain sulfur, and sulfur makes the silver discolour.
What silver glass objects are mentioned?
Many saint figures, candlesticks and cups.
Find more Christmas
Getting there
Nationaal Glasmuseum, Lingedijk 28, 4142 LD Leerdam, Utrecht, NL
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