2/2025 Jubilee vase

The exhibit of February is a crystal glass vase, which is not only a work of art but also a symbolic link between the history of the Železný Brod glass school and the personalities who shaped its identity. This exceptional vase was presented to sculptor Jaroslav Brychta—known as the “father of Železný Brod figurines”—by his colleagues on the 20th anniversary of his tenure at the school as a token of gratitude for his work and contribution to the development of the glassmaking tradition. The creation of this remarkable vase involved three artists—Alois Metelák, Miloslav Janků, and Božetěch Medek—who designed it together in 1942. As was typical of the wartime period, they combined various refining techniques, whose interplay results in a harmonious whole.

Alois Metelák was responsible for the shape and cut of the vase, which is adorned with a wavy engraved pattern covering its entire surface. Painter Miloslav Janků contributed an etched floral ornament and frosted scenes depicting the dominant landscapes of the Železný Brod region and moments from glass production. The central motif of the vase is an engraving based on a design by Božetěch Medek, portraying a woman with a headscarf surrounded by children listening intently—a nostalgic rural scene full of tranquility. This February’s subject also commemorates two significant anniversaries: 130 years since the birth of Jaroslav Brychta (1895–1971) and 20 years since the passing of Božetěch Medek (1909–2005), both esteemed glass artists and educators. Their artistic and pedagogical contributions left an indelible mark on the history of Czech glassmaking.