Collector’s Edition for Those Unafraid to Test the Limits of the Possible

29 January 2025, Karlovy Vary - Moser designer and art director, Jan Plecháč, follows up on his daring vision of the brand’s future by introducing the Abyss Family. The limited collection of 33 products in glossy and 99 products in matte design was presented at the prestigious Maison&Objet trade fair in Paris (16–20 January 2025). Moser has taken part in this major event after a several-year break. The glassworks presented the new Abyss Family as well as previous artworks by Jan Plecháč, complemented by iconic products from the most significant periods in the glassworks’ history. Moser’s presentation and objects on display were positively received in Paris not just by trading partners but also by architects and interior designers, who were particularly charmed by the newly introduced collector’s edition.

Artisanal Challenge for Both Glass Blowers and Cutters

The Abyss Family collection, consisting of two vases and a bowl, is among the most difficult the Karlsbad glassworks currently produces. The blower must not only be a skilled and experienced artisan but must also possess exceptional lung capacity and arm strength. The vases and bowls are blown exclusively by Vlastimil Habart, a student and successor of renowned master glassmaker and Knight of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, Zdeněk Drobný.

“The molten glass collected on the pipe weighs 23 kg, with the pipe it totals 30 kg. I have to pay special attention to ensure the object’s cavity is round at the bottom, not pointed, and that the walls are sufficiently thick,” explains the blower, Vlastimil Habart. Production is also extremely demanding for the cutter – the twenty-kilogram massif is cut down to an approximately eight-kilogram vase or bowl. Moser first presented this innovation in October at Designblok as part of the Born of Sand installation, which brought the glassworks and its artistic director, Jan Plecháč, the highest recognition – the Grand Prix, awarded by leading international experts in the field of design and architecture.

“For me personally, Abyss is the embodiment of overcoming human boundaries and pushing physical limits when creating crystal artworks. It was a major challenge for both the blowers and the cutters and I am proud they managed to overcome it,” adds the designer, Jan Plecháč.

Inspiration Drawn from the Depths of the Ocean

The Abyss vase and the subsequent expanded limited collection was inspired by the emotions associated with freediving. The contrast between the pressure of the depths and the meditative lightness that diving brings is illustrated by the brutalist edges and the rounded core of the products. “The blower’s breath is the bubble that ascends through the dark ocean towards the light,” says Jan Plecháč. The eight-kilogram monuments are linked together by masterful craftsmanship and the internal feelings of those who have the courage to go beyond the limits of the possible.

The Abyss Family bears the traditional aquamarine Moser colour, which has not been used in such robust artworks until now. As a result, the colour becomes much darker than in other crystal products.

Variability in Gloss and Matte

The original Abyss vase was made only in a matte version. Now the collection is also available in gloss. “I am a great proponent of matte, but the longer I am in Moser, the more I have fallen in love with glossy crystal and its wondrous optics,” explains Jan Plecháč.

Every customer who decides to purchase Abyss has the option to pick a collector’s number from 1 to 99 (for the matte version) or 1 to 33 (glossy version), provided it is still available. They are also given the opportunity to visit the glassworks in person and see how these unique and extremely demanding artworks are made.

Photos for download here.

About Maison&Objet

The Parisian Maison&Objet international trade fair, focusing on product and interior design as well as furniture and decorations, is among the largest of its kind. Moser’s installation was located in Hall 7 – Signature, where prestigious brands from all over the world presented their products to visitors and traders.

About Moser

MOSER, a.s., based in Karlovy Vary, has been devoted exclusively to handmade glass production for 168 years. Its high-quality, lead-free crystal artworks have successfully conquered both the Czech and foreign markets. Thanks to this, today the company is one of the leading Czech exporters and represents the art of Czech glassmakers on the world stage. Moser is a member of the French association Comité Colbert, focused on maintaining and cultivating the traditional handmade production of luxury products. A key moment for the glassworks was the recent addition of handmade glass production to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Likewise, there was major success at the Czech Grand Design awards, where the collection Soul of the Forest won Producer of the Year, and its art director Jan Plecháč won the Designer of the Year award, becoming absolute winner.

Contact for the media

Barbora Vondalová
Moser a.s.
barbora.vondalova@moser.com
+420 731 466 851