Researchers recreate Roman colour-changing glass after 1,600 years

Researchers have recreated the glass of the Lycurgus Cup, a fourth-century Roman goblet held by the British Museum. The cup is made of dichroic glass, which looks green when light reflects off it and red or orange when light shines through. Lisa Hollands, a glass technical specialist at the University of Sheffield, led the work with the help of Ian Freestone of University College London. The team used Roman-era materials and tested oxygen levels and furnace temperatures to match the original. The glass gets its effect from gold and silver nanoparticles. Glass artist Elliot Walker made a final piece inspired by the cup, which will go on permanent display at the University of Sheffield's Turner Museum of Glass. The original report from Good News Network cites a Guardian article from 25 October 2026.