The story of Moser

1857

One winter’s day in 1857, a talented glass engraver opens a workshop in Karlovy vary. He is 24, fresh from apprenticeships with Mattoni and Hoffmann, two master engravers of the time.

1873

Ludwig Moser’s unprecedented artistry and craftsmanship outgrows his quiet spa town. After lighting up the World Fair in Vienna, Emperor Franz Joseph I, grants Moser the privilege of designing for his court.

1900

Moser successfully presents himself at the World Exhibition in Paris. The Persian Shah Mozaffar-ed-Din visits Moser’s glassworks during his European travels. He becomes passionate about Moser crystal and will soon award Ludwig Moser his personal favour and the honoured title of court contractor.

1906

A collection of Moser vases is awarded first prize in Milan. Combining engraved floral motifs with colourful fusions creates depth and liveliness previously unseen in the art of glassmaking.

1908

Thanks to the success of the Royal collection, Moser becomes the court supplier of Edward VII, the King of England.

1916

Brothers Leo, Richard and Gustav Moser become the owners of the glassworks. Leo Moser, Technical (1908) and Artistic Director of the glassworks (1916), pioneers new types of coloured glass using precious metal oxides. His spirit inspires a generation of designers to come.

1923

Leo Moser personally hands over an extensive collection to Pope Pius XI bearing the engraved papal emblem. From this moment it will be known as the Pope.

1940

Moser is awarded the Grand Prix at the seventh Milan Triennial for his refined cut vases, designed by architect and designer Wolfgang von Wersin.

1957

Moser celebrates 100 years of glassmaking and establishes the Giant Snifters Club. Members included the Spanish King Juan Carlos I, the Japanese Princess Sayako and Louis Armstrong.

1958

Another Moser Collection wins the Grand Prix Award at a World Fair, in Brussels this time.

1960–2000

Several generations of artists become living legends in the world glassmaking, including, Ludvika Smrčková, René Roubíček, Luboš Metelák, Vratislav Šotola, Vladimír Jelínek and František Vízner.

Engravings by Vladimír Skála, Milan Holubek, Roman Chalupka and Vlastimil Selinger are admired in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.

1992

Copenhagen becomes the exclusive drinking collection in Czech embassies around the world.

1996

The glassworks prepares a new collection of the Copenhagen set with the national emblem of Prague Castle and the presidential residence at Lány.

1997

During his visit to the Czech Republic, Pope John Paul II receives, as an official present, a crystal cross created by Moser at the personal request of the president Václav Havel and designed by the artist Karel Bečvář.

2000

Tono Stano designs the new statue for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. This figure, holding a flawless crystal ball, is owned by Robert Redford, John Malkovich, Judi Dench, Morgan Freeman and Jude Law, among others.

2004

The Moser drinking collection sparkles at the royal wedding in Spain, while the Splendid collection is chosen to add lustre to the royal wedding in Copenhagen.

2007

A bowl, vase and goblet from the Splendid collection, engraved with the royal coat of arms, adorn the Diamond Wedding Anniversary celebration of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Czechoslovak president Edvard Beneš gave the pair a similar set as a wedding gift in 1947.

2013

The People’s Choice category of Czech Grand Design 2012, awarded by the Academy of Design of the Czech Republic, went to Lukáš Jabůrek for his design of the Pear vase. The artwork soon ranks among the bestsellers.

2017

For the 160^th anniversary of Moser’s founding, the glassworks introduces a celebratory collection of 80 art pieces, inspired by important and successful works of the company that have brought it recognition around the world.

2020

Tomáš Lesser is awarded the Order of Arts and Literature by the French Minister of Culture. The art of refining spaces, uplifting moments and taking the art of glassmaking to new heights continues.