KLIMCHI: Bringing contemporary glassware into luxury design

Our glassware has the same optical properties as crystal, without the harmful effects of lead. Our non-lead crystal glass is made from a perfected formula of soda-potassium glass, ensuring that it refracts light in the same way as Bohemian crystal. Also, unlike other glass factories that use clear glass and spray or paint the colour on top, we add the colour additives directly into the glass batch before melting it in our furnace.

This process ensures that the colour is integrated throughout the glass, making it full-coloured even in the smallest chip. Our glassware is dishwasher safe, the brilliance of the colour will not fade over time and won’t dissolve in the liquids. Our artisans take great pride in creating each piece by hand and therefore no two pieces are exactly the same. This means that when you purchase from us, you’re not just getting a glass, you’re getting a work of art.

In 1905, the KLIMCHI glass factory we still use today was built by none other than the same French engineers who constructed the Eiffel Tower. Their steel design forms the core infrastructure of the main factory and even after more than 100 years it is considered one of the most historical and beautiful buildings in the region.

We are not interested in saving time through commercial machine manufacture. We believe that the time we spend with each piece and the years of knowledge invested into every curve tells a deeper story. In order to handcraft a piece of KLIMCHI glassware, our glassblowers can take up to 3 days from start to finish, using the techniques passed on from generation to generation.

First, glass is blown into hand-shaped metal moulds to imprint the finer details before being blown into a wooden mould to give the overall shape to the piece. Handles and other small decorations are hand sculptured and attached whilst the glass is still hot. Next, other companies will usually spray the glass with colour after the blowing, but instead our craftsmen blend the colour pigments into the melting process, embedding the colour deep within the glass itself.

The difference in the finished glassware is evident in KLIMCHI’s signature use of rich and effervescent shades of deep violet, crystalline rose and glistening aquamarine, to name a few. Finally, once the piece is perfected in our cold-working studio, the KLIMCHI mark is engraved onto the base so you can always recognise a KLIMCHI original.

“The history of Czech glassmaking runs deep and I like the feeling that we are continuing its legacy. For me, it was very important for KLIMCHI to be strongly connected with the roots and spirit of its home, the people and their craft”, says Lukáš.

How do you approach the design of each collection?

Our new collections are designed by glass artist and our Creative Director František Jungvirt who joined KLIMCHI in 2020. “As a designer, I find inspiration in the natural world around me. There’s something about the organic forms and textures of the outdoors that resonates with me on a deeper level. I find that by incorporating elements of nature into my designs, I’m able to create work that is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant.

I believe that there’s something inherently beautiful about the natural world, and by bringing those elements into my designs, I’m able to create a connection with my audience that goes beyond mere aesthetics. One of my favourite sources of inspiration is modernist architecture, with its clean lines, geometric shapes and minimalist aesthetic. I also find that the principles of modernism – simplicity, function, and purity of form – resonate deeply with me, and I try to incorporate those values into my own work.

To me, design is all about finding the balance between form and function. I believe that good design should be both beautiful and practical, with every element serving a purpose”, says František.

You also work and collaborate on projects. What is your favourite project so far and why?

One of our favourite projects so far has been the collaboration with MEZ BAR at the luxurious Andaz Hotel Prague, where we teamed up with their skilled bartenders to showcase our Shadows stemware, beer mugs, and Crust collection. The combination of their expertly crafted cocktails and our beautiful glassware resulted in an unforgettable drinking experience. The photoshoot, expertly captured by photographer Anna Pleslova, truly showcased the elegance and sophistication of both the cocktails and our glassware.

Our collaboration with the renowned Event Imagineer Tony Marklew brought our glassware together with the Prada patisserie in Harrods. The dream table setting incorporated pieces from our Hobnail collection and glass shards from our glassworks, creating a truly enchanting and heavenly atmosphere reminiscent of the Prada Caffè.

Another remarkable collaboration we had was with the French automobile manufacturer DS Automobiles. The central object of the photoshoot was the DS 7 Crossback Louvre limited edition car, set in the unique space of DS STORE Prague. The collaboration with DS Automobiles and the other luxury brands resulted in a visually stunning collection of images that showcased the harmonious blend of automotive design, glassware, confectionery, floristry, and timepieces.

Each of these collaborations has been special and unique in its own way, allowing us to showcase our glassware in extraordinary settings and with exceptional partners. They have not only elevated the beauty and style of our designs but also created immersive experiences for our customers.

The CRUST line is specifically designed for cask-matured spirits like whisky and rum. František describes the optical decor of the glass as reflecting the artistic story of life under the bark and the movement on forest pools and streams. The CRUST carafe and tumblers offer a timeless luxury drinking experience, perfect for the most discerning hosts. Additionally, the set serves as a water set with a flip-up glass that acts as a protective cap, preserving the quality of spirits or water.

 

 

Our LINEA collection embodies elegant curves and refined lines, elevating everyday dining to a celebration of contemporary minimalism. The shape of the glasses draws inspiration from the flow of rivers in the Bohemian mountains and pays tribute to modernist architecture and the artistic pursuit of purity of form.

František looked to the Villa Tugendhat in Brno and the Volman Villa in Čelákovice as prized functionalist works that inspired the LINEA set. We are thrilled that the LINEA set has become a part of the new furnishings at the Volman Villa, truly showcasing the connection to this remarkable architecture. Each piece in the LINEA collection is characterised by subtle optical line in the glass and is meticulously hand-finished with cut and polished details, resulting in a luxurious high gloss finish.

These latest editions in our collection embody our commitment to timeless elegance, meticulous craftsmanship, and the fusion of art and design.