Unique glass collection returns to city ownership after decades

After more than twenty years of effort, the city of Kamenický Šenov has achieved a major legal victory. The extensive collection of the local Glass Museum, comprising approximately 2,700 rare items, has been officially transferred from state ownership to the town. This ends a long period of uncertainty, during which the town cared for its most valuable heritage only on a loan basis.

The collection, which had been assembled by members of the local museum association since 1923, had been under the administration of the Museum of Glass and Jewelry in Jablonec nad Nisou since the 1960s. The city first attempted to have it returned in 1991, when an erroneous delimitation meant that the collections remained in state ownership. The city made further attempts to acquire the collection in 2003 and 2016, but these were unsuccessful.

"After more than twenty years, we have managed to bring this long-standing problem to a close. This is not only a logical and fair outcome to the whole situation, but also a great success not only for the Glass Museum, but also for the entire town. The collection is closely linked to our history, glassmaking tradition, and local glassmaking school," said Tomáš Tschakert, deputy mayor of Kamenický Šenov.

Close cooperation with the Jablonec Museum played a key role in the whole process. Without its willingness and cooperation, a transfer of this magnitude would not have been possible. The Ministry of Culture also played a major role in preparing a proposal for the free transfer of state property to the town. This was approved by the Czech government at its meeting on November 12 last year.

"I would like to sincerely thank Ms. Milada Valečková, director of the Museum of Glass and Jewelry in Jablonec nad Nisou, for her time, support, and cooperation," added Deputy Mayor Tschakert, adding that thanks also go to lawyer Dr. Martina Jankovská for her legal representation and museum director Hanka Šrámková for preparing the documentation.

The approach taken by the Jablonec side was key to the successful completion of the transfer. Milada Valečková, director of the Museum of Glass and Jewelry in Jablonec nad Nisou, said of the transfer: "We are really glad that the collection is staying where it historically belongs. This is despite the fact that it is a very valuable collection and we had to give up many unique items. However, one of the principles of museum work is to preserve integrity and authenticity. We believe that the town of Kamenický Šenov will also strive to do so. After all, the collection is one of the proofs of how important a place the town has been and still is on the glassmaking map of the world."

The collection of the Glass Museum in Kamenický Šenov is one of the most important collections documenting the development of engraved and cut glass in the Czech Republic and is now a permanent and indisputable part of the town's property.