“It’s a pleasure, because we’re doing something to beautify the world.”

What brought you to Moser?

My parents wanted me to learn a trade, viewing it as a good foundation for life. And since I enjoyed drawing, I went to Karlovy Vary for glass and ceramics painting, and later to the technical school. After graduation, I spent 21 years working at the porcelain factory in Horní Slavkov (the famous Haas and Czjzek porcelain factory, with roots stretching to 1792). I started out as a painter, then a sample designer, a master’s assistant, and eventually a master myself for 11 years. Unfortunately, the economic crisis hit in 2009-10, and the factory closed, so I had to find a new job. I called various companies, including Moser. I really liked the approach shown by the HR Department. They told me something quite lovely: “You just spent 21 years at the porcelain factory, and now you’ll spend another 21 years here.” I’m a conservative person, I don’t enjoy job changes, and I prefer a constant, solid team, who I know like family.

Is there a big difference in painting porcelain compared to glass?

We mainly learned how to paint on porcelain at school, even though our field was called “glass and ceramics painting”. We never got around to much glasswork, because when I was attending school during the late 80s, there were many porcelain factories in the region, and we were training to work at one of them. Moser wasn’t part of our curriculum, but we visited once during a field trip, and it was very beautiful. Painting glass is indeed quite different; porcelain has a completely different adhesiveness than glass, but it’s just a matter of getting used to it. And once you learn it, you never forget it.

Moser crystal is adorned with pure gold. What’s it like to work with?

Gold is a symbol of nobility, elevating every glass to a piece of jewellery. At Moser, we exclusively decorate glass with 24-karat gold. We mix it with rosemary and lavender oil, as well as various kinds of resin, to make it pliable and well applicable. Once fired, we then polish it to perfection by hand using precious stones. Moser is the only Czech glassworks to still preserve this traditional method. We use agate and haematite, which must have a completely flat surface. Nobody produces this unique polishing equipment today, which is why it’s handed down from generation to generation. I’m glad to have incredibly talented ladies alongside me in the workshop. I think we make a great team, and we understand each other both personally and professionally.

^{Decanter and glasses from the Splendid collection}

What must a skilled glass painter possess?

A bit a talent, surely, as well as a touch of fineness. The purity of the work is crucial, and, most importantly, they need to love the job. And most people here do. However, I don’t get the chance to paint glass much these days. Last year, I was running three workshops – painting, engraving, and sandblasting – and halfway through the year, they tacked on the cutting room, Quality Control III this year, and package production by the end of the year. I’ve got 56 people to look after.

Do you also meet clients’ specific requests?

Yes, clients can order glasses and carafes with a golden coat of arms, monogram, or emblem. We collaborate seamlessly with the production and graphics teams, who manage to process the requests so we can transfer them to the crystal. Because drawing something on paper is one thing, while bringing it to glass is another altogether.

Have there been any big challenges for you?

The limited Animor and Hyalith vases were quite difficult; we discovered them in the original design books and brought them back to life. These are vases with oroplastic elephants and giraffes on blue. The background of the vases has to be sandblasted, while the space behind the animals has to be undermined to create a three-dimensional look. Oroplastic is applied to the animals, and the palm trees and grass are then painted in at the painting workshop. The 24-karat gold is brushed on with extraordinary care. The painter can’t touch the sanded area with the gold, since it leaves violet smudges on the glass even when wiped away. Brushes made of squirrel hair embedded in goose feathers are used here. They lock the gold in nicely so it doesn't run off. Decorating these vases was challenging. And they went into the furnace multiple times, since the painter needed to be able to work on the vase while only focusing on one-third of it at a time.

Most of the commissions for royal families go through the painting workshop, something we’re quite proud of. And during each Presidential Speech at New Year’s, people see our glass decorated with gold, since the president has glasses from the Copenhagen Collection on his table. This collection has been in use at Prague Castle since the days of our first president, T. G. Masaryk. We supply the Castle with new pieces while also repairing any damaged glasses (e.g., chips) and gold. But we do the same thing for ordinary clients; Moser is known for allowing anyone with glass marked with the Moser signature to bring it to us, and most of the time, we’re able to repair it to some degree. We’re not miracle workers, but our people are exceedingly skilled.

^{Queen Elizabeth II and Václav Havel toast with the Copenhagen collection}

What does Moser mean to you?

Monumental artwork, continuity, luxury. All glassmaking trades under one roof. Admiration and humility for what the people here are able to accomplish.

You commute daily to the glassworks from Citice u Sokolova, where you’ve lived since childhood. How do you like to relax?

I’ve loved animals since I was little, especially dogs. I’m pursuing canine education, and my favourite way to relax is to take my dog for a walk, but I also enjoy a moment with a good book.