01/2026 Vase with Three Kings Motif

The first exhibit of this year is a crystal glass vase with a motif of the Three Kings, which the museum acquired for its collection in 1963. The vase’s decoration combines cutting, etching, and transparent coloring techniques. The motif depicts the Three Kings traveling through a winter landscape with bare trees and clouds, accompanied by a faithful canine companion. The vase was created by the prominent glass artist Miloslav Janků.

About the Artist

Miloslav Janků was born on April 4, 1916, in Úpice near Trutnov. From 1931 to 1934, he studied at the Secondary School of Applied Arts and Glass in Železný Brod, in the glass painting department under Professor Zdeněk Juna. After graduation, he was accepted into the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague, where from 1934 to 1939 he studied drawing and painting in Professor František Kysela’s studio. Between 1939 and 1951, he led the department of painted and etched glass at the Glass School in Železný Brod. In 1951, he was forced to leave the school for political reasons.

Janků produced a large number of designs for painted glass, as well as classical stained glass and numerous glass interior stairway windows made from etched and sandblasted glass. From 1956, he was employed by the national company Železnobrodské Sklo, where he initially designed painted glass. After the department was closed in 1963, he focused until 1976 on designing cane glass, blown glass, and studio glass figurines and sculptures. He passed away on May 27, 1994, in Železný Brod.