Křehký Gallery – Czech Design Highlights

We had the pleasure to celebrate our 15th birthday in Prague where we felt warmly welcomed by our friends Jana Zielinski and Jiří Macek. Apart from being amazing hosts, Jana and Jiří are also the founders of Křehký Gallery, and the promoters of the most unique Czech design. The country is currently gaining a great reputation in the design world and it is surely known for its long history of industrial manufacture.

Mint and Křehký share the same love for the captivating elegance of Czech design and we had the pleasure to showcase some of the best designers of the country in our gallery for London Design Festival 2013.

The magical Story Cabinet, which was originally created to display the Gallery’s collection, is a perfect example of Czech Republic distinctive signature. The geometric modules and the classic cornice at the top turn the cabinet into a piece with a character of its own.

We were fascinated by the monumental beauty of the New Biedermeier, a collection of furniture meticulously drawn by hand and exclusive to Křehký Gallery.We had the pleasure to have the plinth, the cabinet and the astonishing piano amongst our collection.

Czech design is undoubtedly known for its glassmaking expertise. A very special example is the Blown Press collection. These old vases have been re-used, hammered and clamped to achieve these peculiar shapes. The result is kitsch, and their process is just as fun as sarcastic on the origins of these outdated pieces of glass.

Not a common object to find these days, ashtrays were amongst designers’ favourite objects to work on. This plate is inspired by the classic glass-cut ashtrays produced specifically for Havana cigars. A very particular shape to blow due to its non-rotational shape, this plate is an extravagant object we couldn’t miss.

The Versa Lamp, as its name suggests, is an upside down lamp inspired by the archetypal shape. The lamp is made of oak and hand blown opal glass.

The Robot lamp caught our attention immediately. An enchanting collector’s piece, Robot is inspired on the three-dimensional paintings by Josef Čapek. Made in stained glass, it is a bold piece to never forget.

If you happen to be in Prague, don’t miss Křehký Gallery, this former Prague ham factory is a must visit!