Nový Bor Sculptures
A gift on the 70th birthday of Joseph Stalin from
the craftsmen-glassblowers of the Czech town of Nový Bor, 1949
Filled with light, colour and air, these items
seem to hold some kind of a secret
in themselves: nature's secret or the
maker's idea! Each of the sculptures is
unique and there is an uncontested
reason for that.
The makers used the free-blowing technique, known since the
ancient times, to make these sculptures. This technique is
also called the free-blowing and moulding technique: the sculptor
manually "manipulates" the molten glass right by the furnace.
In an environment of extreme temperature, nearly 500 degrees
Celsius, the artist shapes the molten mass, modelling subsequent
refractions in accordance with the author's ideas. This is
why each of the items, created using this technique, is strictly
unique and is only available in one copy.
Skier under the tree
Doctor
Resting youth
reference
A year after the end of the Second World War, Czechoslovakia held
elections, with the help of the Soviet Union, “the liberator country.”
In these elections, the Communists secured 40% of the votes. Soon
after this, in 1948, the country experienced the events, which were
later termed as “Victorious February.” The Communist
Party of Czechoslovakia came to power and its leader, Clement Gottwald,
became the country's President.
This became starting point of a very close relationship between the
USSR and Czechoslovakia, in political, economic and of course cultural spheres.
Elephant under a palm tree
Man with a violin
A youth under the tree reading a book
Old man with an umbrella
Collection custodian:
“Nový Bor is a very scenic town in the north of the
Czech Republic known around the world for its
glasswork. This area has a long-standing tradition of
making bohemian glass, which currently is the Czech
Republic’s ‘visiting card’ around the world. The first
glass workshops appeared in this area back in the
18th century. At this time the production of the
wworld-famous Czech crystal chandeliers started here.
OOne of such chandeliers, presented to Stalin, is
hanging in the halls of our museum.”