Some symbols require no explanation. And one of the most significant is the heart Václav Havel attached to his signature, later to become a reminder of the values he stood for: truth, courage, humanity, and respect for others. This very symbol inspired the limited-edition Moser vases created to mark Václav Havel’s would-be 90th birthday.
The collection features three colour options: clear crystal, crystal underlaid with amethyst, and crystal underlaid with the brand-new Opal Moccasin. Each has been made in the symbolic edition of only 90 pieces.
Every vase is handmade, having undergone the demanding process of glassblowing, cutting, and final refinements. The standout element is the gently etched heart motif, which forms the vase’s neck. Each vase bears Václav Havel’s signature, sandblasted by hand. Thus, the collection marries glassmaking mastery with the legacy of a man whose values still inspire us today.
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History
Vaclav Havel and Moser
Vaclav Havel was close to the arts, architecture, and design his whole life, and he also shared a long-standing bond with the Moser glassworks. It began shortly after he became president, when he visited the glassworks in Karlovy Vary and tried blowing glass himself with one of the blowpipes. He then frequently selected crystal works made at Moser as gifts of state for distinguished foreign figures. For instance, Queen Elizabeth II, Pope John Paul II, American President Bill Clinton, and members of the Rolling Stones all raised a toast with Moser glasses during state visits. Thus, Moser became part of the moments when Václav Havel represented the Czech Republic to the world.
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Design and production
Vaclav Havel 90
Every vase is handmade. Its journey starts at the furnace, where the glassmaker shapes the molten glass and blows it into a beechwood mould. The piece then makes its way to the cutter’s workshop, where the base is cut first, followed by the twelve precisely etched facets. The vase’s shape is taken from one of our bestsellers: the Purity vase.
Creating the heart is the most challenging part of the entire process, as it also forms the vase’s neck. The motif must be perfectly recognisable yet feel natural. It’s cut into shape by a diamond blade set at a precise angle. The cutter places the vase in a specially prepared wooden cradle, and with the most extraordinary precision, they cut both sides of the motif to create a harmonious piece.
The final phase involves polishing the vase to a high gloss before sandblasting Václav Havel’s signature into every piece. And for the clear crystal vases, the signature is also underscored with 24-karat gold. Each vase is wrapped in premium packaging and certified as having been created exclusively for this limited edition.
Hand-blown from environmentally friendly lead-free crystal
Hand-cut and polished to a high gloss
