Eminent Czech designer Rony Plesl made two dichotomous versions of the Maria Theresa chandelier, representing the original historical luminaire in two separate yet complementary pieces – King and Venus. They are striking in their simplicity, monumental design and color scheme. A ring comprises each structures’ base, but each employs it differently.

Rony Plesl (* 1965) is among the foremost Czech glass artists and designers. In his art, he specializes in the use of fused glass sculpture and uranium glass, for which he employs the unique Vitrum Vivum technology. He has designed for companies such as Cartier, Barovier & Toso, Bomma, Moser, Pilsner Urquell, Rückl, Sahm and many others. Since 2008, he has directed the Glass and Ceramics Studio at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague. Plesl’s works are represented in public and private collections both in Czechia and abroad. He has received many awards for his work, including the Good Design Award (2019, 2013, 2010), Red Dot Award (2019, 2007) or the Czech Grand Design award (2011).

In their glassworks in Kamenický Šenov in northern Bohemia, Preciosa Lighting picks up and develops the tradition of hand-made, crystal glass lightings, which dates back to the 18th century. Under the guidance of Artistic Directors Michael Vasku and Andreas Klug, Preciosa Lighting’s products have been receiving acclaim both at home and within the international context. Glassmasters and craftspeople have been developing on this the legacy also in branches in Desná, Příchovice and Dolní Prysk, where the company also produces glass and jewelry components, lightings, as well as decorative and technical glass. Tradition is thus reinterpreted through modern technological processes, and every year they push the material limits of glass.