Go Back

Bender Collection

National Museum of Ireland

Public collection

Photo: International Council of Museums; Cover Photo: World City Trail

The National Museum of Ireland's Asian holdings owe their snuff bottle collection primarily to Albert Bender, a Dublin-born art collector who bequeathed 260 objects of Asian art to the museum in the 1930s, including 24 snuff bottles. The Bender Collection spans jade, agate, rock crystal, glass, lacquer, ivory, and ceramics, reflecting the breadth of taste of a collector who moved easily across media and periods. The bottles are held at Collins Barracks, the museum's decorative arts and history campus in Dublin.

Location

Collins Barracks

Benburb St

Stoneybatter

Dublin, D07 XKV4

Ireland

IMPORTANT dates

Bottles bequeathed in the 1930s

Website

museum.ie

With 24 snuff bottles drawn from one of Ireland's most significant private gifts of Asian art, the National Museum of Ireland holds a small but carefully assembled group that reflects the personal vision of one of Dublin's most distinguished collector-philanthropists.