We were given a tour of the factory and shown some of the works by the designers.
On the wall was a list of names of their designers and my eye was immeditately drawn to Adolf Matura.
Adolph Matura: Crafting Timeless Elegance in Glass
Adolph Matura, worked for the Moser factory and was a luminary in the realm of Czechoslovak pressed glass. He studied at the Academy of Arts, Architecture, and Design in Prague with Prof Štípl. Adolf was born with a passion for glass works. Initially he honed his skills in engraved glass in the small town of Železny Brod. As his career unfolded, he transitioned to glass designs, ultimately working on intricate molded glass in the mid-sixties.
Matura's artistic signature lies in the marriage of rugged shapes, delicate pearl decor, and captivating figural motives. Beginning with modest and straightforward designs, he later incorporated ornamental and structural elements, achieving fame through his iconic Prague set adorned with pearl decor, a testament to the wave of decorativism that swept the seventies.
A true lover of figurative work, Matura's portfolio boasts one of the finest and strangest creations – a vase with two faces, a masterpiece highly coveted by collectors of pressed glass. His enduring impact on the landscape of Czech glass artistry solidifies Adolph Matura's place as a trailblazer in the field.
Another Czech glass blower had not as a fortunate career in glass than his namling Matura who worked at Moser glass works.
Adolf Beckert, born in 1884 went to the glass school in Haida (Nový Bor), followed by the Debschnitz school in Munich from 1904-1905 and the Prague School of Applied Arts from 1905-1907. Despite not graduating, Beckert's talent earned him a position at the esteemed Loetz factory in 1908-1909, eventually rising to the role of artistic director.
However, the fortunes of the Loetz factory dwindled, and they hoped Beckert's acid-etched glass designs would revive their market presence. Unfortunately, this endeavor proved unsuccessful, leading to the factory's bankruptcy in 1911. Undeterred, Beckert continued his artistic journey, serving as an artist consultant.
Beckert's artistic prowess found a new home at the Dresden Glass House Muegeln before his pivotal role as the director at the Steinschönau Kamenicky Senov Glass School in 1918. In 1926, the Steinschönau school merged with the Haida school, resulting in Beckert losing his position. His career in glass was as fragile as glass it self, additionaly a danger of the job was breathing in posinous fumes which resulted inAdolf Beckert succumbing to lung disease in 1929 at the age of 45. He left behind a legacy characterised by his exceptional acid-etch work and the creation of stunning gold and black (schwartzlot) glass vases. Beckert's influence on the realms of glass artistry remains an enduring testament to his talent and dedication.
The contrasting stories of Adolf Matura and Adolf Beckert serve as reminders of the fragility of life, the unpredictable twists of fate, and the mark individuals can leave through their creative legacies.
Adolf Matura's journey, speaks to the fortuitous alignment of talent and opportunity. His artistic pursuits found a platform that endured, allowing him to contribute to the world of Czechoslovak pressed glass and leaving behind a legacy marked by creativity and craftsmanship.
Adolf Beckert faced the challenges of changing tides, experiencing the bankruptcy of the Loetz factory and subsequent professional setbacks. The fragility of his career path mirrors the fragility of life itself. Despite the hardships, Beckert continued to create, producing intricate acid-etched glass designs and contributing to the artistic landscape.
The tale of two Adolfs underscores the importance of resilience in the face of adversity and the ability of artists to transcend the limitations of their circumstances through their enduring creations.
https://loetz.com/designers/adolf-beckert
https://www.sklo-union.eu/adolf-matura