Sabi Phagura went along to Karlovy Vary for a behind-the-scenes look at Moser to learn about the meticulous process of producing some of the finest crystal glass money can buy.
The Moser glassworks has been producing some of the finest luxury crystal glass in the world. Internationally recognised as one of the finest hand-blown crystals since 1857, it’s just unveiled the 2018 collection at Maison & Objet in Paris.
Named “The Story of Colours” the collection is a unique collaboration between the Moser glass-masters and renowned Czech designers, who closely guard the secret of producing bespoke Moser colours. The company is based in the spa town of Karlovy Vary and has a rich and varied history, which is intertwined with the Moser glassworks.
The Moser Story
Born in 1833, Ludwig Moser opened a shop and engravers in the town aged 24. But it wasn’t until he turned 60 that he opened his own production facility in the area.
It was this milestone that helped propel Moser to worldwide fame. Working with the very best glassware designers, their products – including lead-free crystal – became highly sought after.
The rich and famous wanted to own Moser pieces, and the company was appointed an exclusive supplier to the Hapsburg Emperor Franz Josef and later to Shah Musaffereddin of Persia and King Edward VII of England.
Fast forward to today, and many of the company’s signature designs from decades gone are still being produced – some as special retro editions. Because of its originality and beauty, Moser luxurious crystal has been used in the distinguished homes and palaces of monarchs, politicians and governments for over 160 years. It is the reason why Moser crystal is called the “Glass of Kings”.
Each piece created by Moser is unique thanks to its design and the precise hand craftsmanship of its glass makers, cutters, painters and engravers masterfully executing their craft. The secrets of artistic and craft skills are traditionally passed from generation to generation.
A tour of the glassworks factory is truly mesmerising and a must-see visit if you’re ever in the area. The main hall is the inception of the glass-making process and it was here we saw expert glassblowers do their work.
We watched lumps of raw molten glass being transformed into pieces of art with the use of furnaces and moulds. The lung power used to blow the glass may have looked easy to the eye, but when I had a go at blowing my very own glass, I realised exactly how much effort I had to put in.
It was anything but easy. It quickly became apparent why it takes 20 years to become a master glassblower.
The entire process in this room is sweat-inducing. Workers have to take swigs of alcohol-free beer or water to cool down. Each stage of the glass-making process is carried out pretty much in silence due to concentration.
Just one wrong millimetre in the line of engraving can mean a piece (that has gone through 20 other hands) could end up in the rubbish heap by quality control for recycling and starting all over again.
This was incredibly painful to watch. To me, the pieces thrown out were pristine.
What makes Moser stand out is that their glass is 100% handmade, with cutting, engraving and painting all done by hand. The engraving and painting were mesmerising to watch.
The time and effort placed in the pieces to make are simply mind-blowing. In fact, one luxury fruit bowl was just two days from completion during my visit.
It had been under construction for two solid months and cost the client £40,000!
The onsite museum gives people an insight into the history of Moser glassworks. Here, you can see how the company has successfully gone through many historical twists.
Short-term trends and changes in tastes are visible via luxury beverage sets, decorative objects and Moser master engravings over the years.
But one thing of note is that it has always kept its unmistakable style and creative approach to the creation of new collections.
Thanks to its flexible policy, Moser responds to the specific wishes of clients in individual markets, which has helped strengthen their position as an exclusive supplier of original Moser products.
The company has recently recorded a growth in sales and an increase in efficiency, as well as maintaining its reputation in the international competition, thanks to the highly-qualified experts in all professions.
Not ones to be complacent, Moser regularly updates its products by keeping in mind the changing tastes and needs of a younger generation of customers. However, the traditional core portfolio remains more popular today than ever.
The glassworks regularly presents’ its new collections at exhibitions in Frankfurt, Milano or at the Maison & Objet Design Exhibition in Paris.
Producing the Moser colours has been carefully preserved for over 115 years – the secret known only to a few people at any time.
The concept of colour within the glass was the brainchild of Ludwig’s son Leo in the early 20th century. This innovation quickly became the symbol of the originality of the company’s glassware and represented a new level of luxury.
Moser is among the oldest manufacturers in Europe, employing close to 320 employees, some of whom have worked for the company for decades.
The company has four sales galleries in the Czech Republic and Moser products are available by means of exclusive agencies throughout almost the entire world. The key foreign markets include Russia, the U.S.A., Japan, Taiwan and Great Britain.
Another factor, which helps the company to stand out is their focus exclusively on the production of lead-free crystal. Working with such glass is difficult; however, lead-free crystal is distinctive for its high lustre, sparkle and especially its hardness, which helps with detailed cutting and engraving.
It’s the company’s unique work philosophies that continue to attract designers to want to work here, including the now-employed talented designer Lukáš Jaburek.
Traditional glassmaking is not as popular as it once was. However, the collaboration of Moser glass-makers with the younger generation has a tradition lasting more than 150 years.
Just as well. You only have to see the art of glass-makers during a visit to learn how truly special it is. It’s art at its finest.
Moser – Where and how?
Moser, Kpt Jarose 46/19, 360 06 Karlovy Vary Czech Republic. To book a tour, contact the museum on tel: +420 353 416 132, or email: [email protected]
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