Leopold Blaschka Collection

Physalia pelagica, jellyfish model
A glass model of a jellyfish, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Argonauta argo (female), octopus
A glass model of an octopus, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Amoeba proteus, amoebae
A glass model of amoebae, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Bunodes ballii, sea anemone
A glass model of a sea anemone, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Chrysaora isosceles, jellyfish model
A glass model of a jellyfish, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Chrysaora isosceles, jellyfish
A glass model of a jellyfish, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Dorataspis diodon, radiolarian
A glass model of a radiolarian, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Aulacantha scolymantha, radiolarian
A glass model of a radiolarian, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Actinomma asteracanthion, radiolarian
A glass model of a radiolarian, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Eucyrtidium cranoides, radiolarian
A glass model of a radiolarian, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Actinophrys sol, heliozoan
A glass model of a radiolarian, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Heliosphaera actinota, radiolarian
A glass model of a radiolarian, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Eucecryphalus schultzei, radiolarian
A glass model of a radiolarian, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Spongosphaera streptacantha, radiolarian
A glass model of a radiolarian, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Aulosphaera elegantissima, radiolarian
A glass model of a radiolarian, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Difflugia pyriformis, amoebae
A glass model of amoebae, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Radiolarian
A glass model of a radiolarian, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Sagartia coccinea, sea anemone
A glass model of a sea anemone, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Phellia brodricii, sea anemone
A glass model of a sea anemone, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Caryophyllia clavus, sea anemone
A glass model of a sea anemone, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Sagartia sphyrodeta, sea anemone
A glass model of a sea anemone, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Verania sicula, squid
A glass model of a squid, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Tremoctopus velifer, octopus
A glass model of an octopus, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Sepioteuthis sicula. jpg
A glass model of a squid, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Sepiola rondeletii, squid
A glass model of a squid, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Sepia officinalis, squid
A glass model of a squid, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Sepia elegans, squid
A glass model of a squid, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Rossia dispar, squid
A glass model of a squid, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Philonexia catenulatus, octopus
A glass model of an octopus, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Onychoteuthis lichtensteinii, squid
A glass model of a squid, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Onychia platyptera, squid
A glass model of a squid, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Ommastrephes sagittatus, squid
A glass model of a squid, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Octopus vulgaris, octopus
A glass model of an octopus, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Physophora hydrostatica, jellyfish model
A glass model of a jellyfish, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Physophora hydrostatica, jellyfish
A glass model of a jellyfish, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Physalia pelagica, jellyfish
A glass model of a jellyfish, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Polyclonia frondosa, jellyfish
A glass model of a jellyfish, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Carmarina hastata, jellyfish model
A glass model of a jellyfish, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Carmarina hastata, jellyfish
A glass model of a jellyfish, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Polyclonia frondosa, jellyfish model
A glass model of a jellyfish, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Aurelia aurita, jellyfish model
A glass model of a jellyfish, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Aurelia aurita, jellyfish
A glass model of a jellyfish, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Histioteuthis bonelliana, squid
A glass model of a squid, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Loligo vulgaris, squid
A glass model of a squid, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Enoploteuthis veranii, squid
A glass model of a squid, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Enoploteuthis owenii, squid
A glass model of a squid, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Argonauta argo (males), octopus
A glass model of two octopuses, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

Rhegmatodes thalassina, jellyfish model
A glass model of a jellyfish, created by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka in the late nineteenth century and held at the Natural History Museum, London

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

Leopold Blaschka: A Master of Capturing Marine Beauty Sepia elegans, squid. Physalia pelagica, jellyfish model. Argonauta argo (female), octopus. Amoeba proteus, amoebae. Bunodes ballii, sea anemone. Chrysaora isosceles, jellyfish model. These are just a few the incredible marine creatures that Leopold Blaschka meticulously crafted into stunning glass models during the 19th century. Blaschka was a renowned German glass artist who dedicated his life to capturing the intricate beauty and delicate details of various marine organisms through his artistry. His creations were not only visually captivating but also scientifically accurate representations of these underwater wonders. Using techniques passed down through generations in his family, Blaschka mastered the art of lampworking - shaping molten glass with precision and skill. With this technique, he brought to life creatures like Dorataspis diodon and Aulacantha scolymantha - radiolarians so intricately designed that they could easily be mistaken for living organisms. But it wasn't just about replicating individual species; Blaschka aimed to showcase entire ecosystems within his glass models. He carefully arranged different organisms together in their natural habitats – Difflugia pyriformis coexisting with Sagartia coccinea and Phellia brodricii sea anemones – creating miniature worlds frozen in time. His dedication to accuracy extended beyond mere aesthetics; he collaborated closely with scientists from prestigious institutions such as Harvard University's Museum of Comparative Zoology to ensure scientific integrity in each creation. Blaschka's work continues to inspire awe even today as we marvel at the lifelike textures and vibrant colors he achieved using nothing but fragile glass rods and intense heat. Each piece tells a story of patience, passion, and an unwavering commitment to capturing the beauty of the natural world.