Kings of design: Moser and Jan Plecháč dazzled at Czech Grand Design

The celebratory announcements were made on March 3, 2024, at the Estates Theatre in Prague. “Everyone at the glassworks was absolutely thrilled by the awards. We’re proud of Moser’s historic heritage. However, we don’t want to simply stand in our past; delivering a distinct, contemporary design is paramount. And Art Director Jan Plecháč approaches this change with respect to the traditional craft of glassmaking,” says Pavel Mencl, General Manager of the Moser glassworks.

^{Jan Plecháč, the Art Director and Pavel Mencl, the General Manager at Moser}

The judges from the Czech Design Academy recognised Jan Plecháč for his product designs, which he created for the glassworks last year. “I’m absolutely thrilled. I couldn’t be more satisfied with what we achieved together with Moser over such a short period of time. It’s unbelievable. But it’s only the beginning!”, promises Jan Plecháč.

His creative approach was echoed in several works, among which the Abyss vase, for example, occupies an important place, as it reflects the ocean’s depths and launched a new, invigorating era of the Moser glassworks with its nearly 170-year history. The delicate Harmonic vases also garnered success, as did the Soul of the Forest Collection, inspired by nature and its structures.

^{Photocredit: Martin Faltejsek for Czech Grand Design, @martinfaltejsek}

Moser – Producer of the Year

The Soul of the Forest vases and drinkware collection also won in the Producer of the Year category. The best glassmakers, cutters, and engravers from the Moser glassworks worked on them. During their creation, Jan Plecháč drew inspiration from his beloved nature, imprinting its soul and fascinating structures upon them. The pine tree is reflected in the Pinea vase, while Fungi has the soft structure of mushroom spores, and the Conea vase has that of a conifer cone. The drinkware set with the Bark vase embodies tree bark, and the Microcosmos vase with its engraving by illustrator Michal Bačák gives a microscopic overview into the depths of the forest.

This three-piece victory is yet another success for the Moser glassworks under the guidance of its Art Director. The Soul of the Forest Collection was first introduced last autumn at Designblok – one of the largest events of design and fashion in Europe. The Moser exposition dubbed “UP” was determined by the international panel of judges and the public as the best installation.

Then one of the most prestigious design magazines in the world, Wallpaper, displayed the Abyss vase on the cover of its December issue.

These triumphs and awards are also an honour for the glassmakers and they provide support for traditional handmade glass production, which was added to the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.