1846
The first Rückl glassworks
The Rückl glassworks has been synonymous with first-class cut crystal since 1846.
Do you know the story of the oldest Czech glassmaking family? Read it and delve into the history of the Rückl family. Unique life stories and historical events of the time. Find out what is behind the production of high-quality Czech crystal in the Nižbor glassworks.
The glassmaking family of the Rückl family came to Bohemia at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. The first stable glassworks bearing the family name were established in Cyranov Wostrov in 1846 thanks to the efforts of Jan Rückl. Together with this date, the foundations of the future glassmaking empire were laid, which has forever linked its passions with several places in the Czech Republic.
Jan Rückl's 65th birthday with his family, 1874
J. Rückl (1809-1885) founder of the family glass factory in Cyranov Wostrov
1903
Founding of a glass factory in Nižbor
After establishing smaller family glassworks in Cyranov Wostrov, Včelnička and Skalice u Česká Lípy, in 1903 Antonín Rückl decided to build a glassworks in Nižbor from scratch, in the immediate vicinity of the newly built railway from Prague to Rakovník.
Nižborsk grinding mill, 1910
Antonin Rückl
First half of the 20th century
Wartime
The great test for the family company was the period of the world wars. The glassworks managed to survive the difficult times mainly thanks to the skill and diplomacy of Antonín Rückl, who managed to keep production running at a time when most of the men were leaving for the front. The order for the production of glasses intended for cleaning gasoline in the carburetors of Messerschmitt aircraft not only provided the men with protection before going to war, moving to an unknown territory beyond the borders, but also made it easier for the family budget in difficult times.
Nižbor glassmakers at work
Snack in the glass factory
1920s - 1940s
Golden years
The real golden era came in the period between the two world wars, when the family glassworks became a joint-stock company in 1921 and the focus shifted to expansion and innovation. At this time, all Rückl companies boasted a thousand employees, warehouses in the capital and representation all over the world from Belgium and England to India and Damascus.
In addition to technological progress, the glassworks also focused on development in the field of design and established cooperation with leading Czech glass artists, such as Ludvika Smrčková and Professor Josef Drahoňovský. They celebrated success with an exclusive cut vase for President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, but also at the glass exhibition in Paris, from where they brought home the Grand Prix award for their products in 1935.
The original showroom in Nižbor called NEBE
Professor Josef Drahoňovský 1877-1938
1945 - 1989
The hard times of communism
A new era of the family empire began on October 28th, 1945, when President Beneš's state nationalization decree number 100 came into effect and dark clouds descended over the family companies after years of prosperity. In Nižbor, all cut or otherwise refined production was labeled as the last remnant of the bourgeoisie and was canceled. Production focused on cuvettes - square containers similar to aquariums intended for healthcare, and glass utility containers - a turbulent assortment history that seemed to exactly correspond to the totalitarian helplessness in which the glassworks found themselves for forty long years afterwards.
In the 1960s, the state apparatus saw a profitable source of finance in glass production and decided to build a completely new grinding plant in the Křivoklát region in order to maximize profits from exporting products abroad.
Reconstruction of the metallurgical hall, 1960s
Reconstruction of the metallurgical hall, 1960s
1989
A bittersweet return
After a long time of separation, 1989 finally arrived, bringing with it many expectations. However, the Rückl family was quickly torn from the revolutionary euphoria by the rejected restitution request. So the only option to return the glassworks to the owners was to purchase it.
"My father urged me to think carefully about the purchase, because it is not only about the glassworks as such, but also about the care and commitment to the glassmakers and their families , which are an inseparable part of it," recalls the events of the post-November 1945 incident, the continuer of the family tradition and the great-grandson of the first owner, Jiří Rückl, who was drawn to glassmaking not only by his genes but also by his education in glassmaking technologies. He acquired the well-run Nižbor glassworks from the state in 1992 for thirty-five million crowns, and the first renovations could begin.
George Rückl
Nižbor Glassworks
2017
We tell stories
The year 2017 brings fundamental changes to the glassworks. With the entry of investor and patron of Czech brands Martin Wichterle, the craft built over centuries has the opportunity to shine in the field of contemporary design. The new collection under the leadership of Rony Plesl pays tribute to the tradition of Czech glassmaking and icons of Czech history. In September 2022, the talented young designer Kateřina Handlová took over the imaginary reins of the Rückl brand. Her collections are a combination of fragility, punk and reflect admiration for strong women.
It takes the best of centuries-old glassmaking techniques and takes them to the next level. Historical decors from the family archive come to life in landscapes of modern shapes and pastel shades, telling the story of the ancient Rückl glassmaking family, which has no equal in our country.
Hand-grinding the Metamorphosis vase
Hand-blown glass in Nižbor
