Miroslav Havel
Encyclopedia
Miroslav Havel was the chief designer for Waterford Crystal
.
Born in Držkov
, Czechoslovakia
, he trained as a glass craftsman in Železný Brod
and in the Academy of Art and Industrial Design ("Umprum") in Prague. During his study at Umprum, he interned in a glass factory in Světlá nad Sázavou
owned by Karel Bacik
. Bacik, who was losing control of his business as the Communist takeover progressed, migrated to Ireland
, made plans to set up a glass factory there, and in 1947 sent for Havel to supervise the technical aspects of the factory.
There had been a glassmaking factory in Waterford in the previous century, but as nothing was left of that tradition, Havel created a production process from scratch, recruited skilled craftspeople from traditional glassmaking areas of Europe, set up training and apprenticeship programmes for Irish personnel, and designed new product ranges. In these product ranges, Havel attempted to reestablish continuity with the glassmaking tradition of Waterford City (Havel visited the National Museum
to make detailed drawings of their collection of original Waterford glass), while serving the needs of contemporary consumers and working within the constraints of modern factory production.
Waterford Crystal
Waterford Crystal is a trademark brand of crystal glassware, previously produced in Waterford, Ireland, though the factory there was shut down after the receivership of Waterford Wedgwood plc in early 2009...
.
Born in Držkov
Držkov
Držkov is a village and municipality in Jablonec nad Nisou District in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. -References:...
, Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
, he trained as a glass craftsman in Železný Brod
Železný Brod
Železný Brod is a town in Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. Located in Jablonec nad Nisou District on the Jizera River, the town is on a railway line connecting Pardubice and Liberec.-History:...
and in the Academy of Art and Industrial Design ("Umprum") in Prague. During his study at Umprum, he interned in a glass factory in Světlá nad Sázavou
Svetlá nad Sázavou
Světlá nad Sázavou is a town in the Vysočina Region, Czech Republic. The Sázava River flows through the town.- Parts of town :* Světlá nad Sázavou* Benetice* Dolní Březinka* Dolní Dlužiny* Horní Březinka* Horní Dlužiny* Josefodol* Kochánov...
owned by Karel Bacik
Charles Bacik
Karel Bacik , was a Czech glass manufacturer and a founder of Waterford Glass.He was born in Nová Říše, graduated from Charles University, Prague, and began working in glass manufacturing in Světlá nad Sázavou in 1935...
. Bacik, who was losing control of his business as the Communist takeover progressed, migrated to Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, made plans to set up a glass factory there, and in 1947 sent for Havel to supervise the technical aspects of the factory.
There had been a glassmaking factory in Waterford in the previous century, but as nothing was left of that tradition, Havel created a production process from scratch, recruited skilled craftspeople from traditional glassmaking areas of Europe, set up training and apprenticeship programmes for Irish personnel, and designed new product ranges. In these product ranges, Havel attempted to reestablish continuity with the glassmaking tradition of Waterford City (Havel visited the National Museum
National Museum of Ireland
The National Museum of Ireland is the national museum in Ireland. It has three branches in Dublin and one in County Mayo, with a strong emphasis on Irish art, culture and natural history.-Archaeology:...
to make detailed drawings of their collection of original Waterford glass), while serving the needs of contemporary consumers and working within the constraints of modern factory production.