Investigating the Quin Tassie collection (Exhibition)

In 1926, the family of former President, Dr Henry Quin (1718-1791), gifted some unique "Tassie gems" to the College. This collection consists of 26 drawers of miniature gem casts and moulds thought to have been created by James Tassie (1835-1799), a renowned gem engraver, and his mentor, Dr Henry Quin.
These gems capture the visual culture of ancient Greece and Rome, a fascination held deeply by 18th-century society, and were used as a valuable educational tool for those interested.

As we prepare for the centenary of this unique donation, we have received funding from the Heritage Council under the Community Heritage Grant scheme to carry out essential research and preservation on this collection. For Heritage week we will be hosting a free pop-up exhibition highlight this collection, the work being carried out to preserve the material, and the importance of this material at the intersection of art, science and medical in 18th-century Dublin.