The Kralik Fish and other treasures

A few years back I got to visit the Glass museum in Lenora (Czech Rep). The museum is pretty small with some generic bohemian glass and some contemporary pieces, Within the collection there were some pieces purportedly made in one of the Wilhelm Kralik Factories that was located just down the hill. They also had a few pieces that were kept from the "Kralik Castle" that was just down the road. I had no doubt they came from a local cache because the grouping contained the largest sampling of later-Lava pieces I have ever seen; Also a chandelier depicting glass blowing with the Kralik crest.

If you go to the museum do not try to see it after seeing the Passau Glass museum because it is a smaller place with less quality pieces and it is very hard to reach (involving a school bus, hiking, a train that never showed up and a car ride from a sweet local lady). Remember: approach this museum from Prague!

Lenora is in south Bohemia, it a very small town that is close to a lot of other old glass towns (factory pictures line the hall). The museum is low in resources and in need of restoration. I was shown around this region by an author, curator and researcher of all Czechoslovakian glass. We had a good time driving from town to town including looking at rivers where glass shards of great Czech pieces were dumped. Its sad that very little of the glass industry remained as far as infrastructure and documentation; What little remains is locked up in disputes or in basements of museums that very few people control.

1. The glass fish is geometric blown in a mold, powder decorated and decorated with applications, also it has a great "Iris" finish to it

2. The mother of all Lava pieces- These were in later production with furnace decorated powders and oxides- A very textural piece! I also love pieces that flow from a square shape to a round one

3. A patented "Iris" decor that has a drape pattern in maroon and handles. This iridescence is mirror like in a golden hue and not rainbow in color