Libochovice
The Libochovice glassworks, with its legacy of iconic pressed glass featuring diverse motifs, tells the story of Czech craftsmanship and innovation, where traditional hand-pressing techniques merge with artistic collaborations that have captivated collectors and households for over a century.
In 1912, a new glassworks was built in Libochovice, which over the course of seventy years became a recognized name in the glass industry. Its founders, H. Feigl and J. Morávek, relocated the production from a smaller glassworks they rented in the Czech-Moravian Highlands, along with experienced glassmakers, allowing for a rapid start of production. Initially, they focused on siphon bottles and various packaging glass. From the beginning, the glassworks was independent, operating as a joint-stock company, and its products quickly gained customers both domestically and internationally.
Once the basic market needs were met, Libochovice began to concentrate on innovating its products. In 1931, they established a painting workshop where popular spherical vases were created, primarily intended for export to Belgium. These vases were adorned with relief decorations of horses and flowers, designed by sculptor Karel Zentner (1891–1963), a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. Zentner's iconic ashtray featuring bear motifs is still considered a sought-after collectible piece today. After World War II, the glass production in Libochovice underwent several reorganizations, but they preserved the traditional manufacturing process—hand-pressing glass—while continuing to use handmade machines and flame polishing techniques.
In 1945, Libochovice was incorporated into the state enterprise Sklo Union. The industrial production underwent gradual modernization and mechanization, while still retaining the uniqueness of hand-made pressed glass. Automation of production allowed for the expansion of the range to include more complex and design-advanced products. With increasing innovations such as injection molding and centrifugal forming, Libochovice glass gained an original appearance and technological value.
From the beginning, Libochovice predominantly produced pressed glass, which gradually gained recognition also due to collaboration with prominent designers. The design solutions were adapted to the possibilities of pressing technology, bringing original aesthetic solutions. Collaboration with professional artists began in the interwar period and became a key component of production after World War II, especially through cooperation with graduates of art academies. Since the 1960s, artists such as Václav Hanuš, Pavel Pánek, and Rudolf Jurnikl have been associated with the Libochovice glassworks, whose designs significantly influenced the development of pressed glass. One of the most significant designers was Adolf Matura, whose works became very popular and were recognized with awards. Václav Zajíc joined this group as a representative of the younger generation. His designs, created with attention to detail and a modern approach to pressed glass, enriched the production program and left a lasting mark on glass creation of that time.
The Libochovice products of the 1920s were known for their floral and plant motifs, often decorated with fine reliefs featuring violets, roses, or ears of grain. These products found wide use in households, where they were commonly used, and we can still see them being used in our homes today.
