Zelezny Brod Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass

The item This beautiful work of Modernist art glass was designed by Czech art glass designer Vaclav Horacek in 1957 for Josefodol Glassworks, later restructured into Zelezny Brod glassworks. This particular design by Horacek in Neodymium glass is a rare find and even rarer that it is in such superb condition. The simple tapered silhouette comes from the glass being blown into a mould, while the frosted surface decor comes from a hand-applied Battuto-like technique. This piece is not only special in form, which gives it an excellent ability to refract light, it also has the ability to colour change. The colour changing ability comes from Neodymium, a chemical element which is incorporated into the glass during the crafting process. Under daylight, the Neodymium in the glass presents itself as a pale lilac colour however, under indoor fluorescent household lighting, the element becomes a pale blue. Neodymium glass is sometimes known as Alexandrite glass. Condition Excellent. No chips or cracks or repairs. There is mild wear that is most evident in movement marks on the underside of the base and is commensurate with the age of the piece. Please refer to photos as they form part of the condition report. A bit of history Zelezny Brod glassworks Železný Brod is an old glass-producing town founded in the eleventh century. It was originally known as Brod [tr. 'ford'] or Brodek [tr. 'little ford']. Železný [tr. 'iron'] was added to its name in the fourteenth century, alluding to the town's steelworks. The town's main industry is represented by producers of blow-moulded glass, as well as that of jewellers. The Železný Brod (ZBS) glassworks was created in 1948 as a result of nationalisation at the time and was an amalgamation of 9 glass factories in the town. ZBS being particularly well known for its free-form organic vases and bowls designed by Miroslav Klinger.

Fascinating 1960s Neodymiun crystal vase, sometimes called Alexandrite, by Zeleznobrodské Sklo Glassworks, ZBS, in Zelesny Brod, Czechoslovakia. Masterful scalloped rib design with v...