Moser (Bohemian, founded in 1857 by Ludwig Moser)

Moser is one of the most famous and celebrated glass manufacturers and decorators of the 20^th Century. Its slogan ‘King of Glass, Glass of Kings’ refers to the many important clients for whom it has provided glass since its foundation in the mid-19^th Century. These guests include the Austro-Hungarian Emperors, Edward VII of Great Britain and Pope Pius XI.

Its founder, Ludwig Moser, established the company initially as a glass decorating workshop in 1857. It was based in Karlsbad in Upper Bohemia (now Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic). Moser was only granted a licence to start producing its own glassware in 1893, for which it would win medals at World Exhibitions in 1893 and 1900.  

Moser was known primarily for the pieces it produced in the Art Nouveau style, which was the preeminent design style at the turn of the 20^th Century. Their pieces, including drinkware and vases, often featured the surface floral decorations and coloured glass highlights so characteristic of the style. Despite this obvious stylistic influence, Moser glassware exhibited designs borrowed from the European Baroque, the Japanese Meiji style and from Islamic art.