Our collaboration with the Museum of Ancient Glass in Zadar represents a particular pleasure and honour for us. It is a unique museum institution in Croatia and in this part of Europe, dedicated to the study, preservation and presentation of ancient glass. Within its permanent exhibition, the museum houses an exceptionally valuable archaeological collection of glass objects from the Roman period, discovered in Zadar and the wider region. A distinctive feature of the museum is its active promotion of contemporary glassblowing through live demonstrations and author-led projects. The combination of scientific research, cultural heritage and living craftsmanship makes this institution truly inspiring.
We were invited to participate in the creation of an exclusive museum souvenir – a replica of a rare ancient bottle in the shape of a fish. The original piece, displayed as part of the permanent collection, is an exceptionally valuable and aesthetically fascinating artefact. Its fish form, softly modelled body and subtle textures testify to the remarkable skill of ancient glass masters.
The replica was created by contemporary glassblower Marko Štefanac, who handcrafted the bottle using traditional glassblowing techniques, faithfully following the character and proportions of the original. Each replica carries a sense of authenticity, as it is entirely handmade. The organic nature of the material remains visible in the glass – in its delicate irregularities, the play of light and transparency that further emphasise the fish form.
Our task was to create a pedestal – a custom-made stone product designed entirely in service of the artefact. We selected white Brač stone as a natural and noble material: neutral in expression, yet strong in identity. The pedestal was shaped as a negative of the fish form, allowing the bottle to rest naturally within the stone while accentuating its silhouette and elegance. The museum logo was discreetly and precisely applied to the stone base, seamlessly integrated into the overall design.
In this project, there was no room for artistic interpretation or creative deviation – the focus was on respecting the artefact. Here, stone is in the service of glass. As a stone product, the pedestal does not dominate; instead, it enhances the elegance and presentation value of the souvenir. The texture and brightness of white Brač stone further highlight the transparency and subtle blue-green hue of the glass.
Although this was a relatively small-scale task for our workshop, collaborations of this kind carry particular significance. We value the partnership with an institution that nurtures craftsmanship, preserves cultural heritage and continuously promotes the importance of traditional skills within a contemporary context. It is precisely in such projects that we recognise the essence of our work – when natural materials, knowledge and precise execution become a quiet yet meaningful part of a broader cultural narrative.
