Mid-Century Rosice Sklo Union Boopie Glass Ashtray designed by Rudolf Schrötter (1950s)

Produced by Rosice, a Czech glass factory, founded in 1920 in the city of Rosice in the Brno-Country District (South Moravian Region of the Czech Republic), this mid-century ashtray is a standing ovation of the Czech glass craftsmanship.

With a rather tumultuous history, Rosice was closed in 1921, then in 1928 was bought by Vaclav Hrodna and began production again only to close again in 1931, and this was only the beginning.

In 1934 it was bought by Bedrich Vrtal and began production for a third time, this time with success. In 1965, Rosice became part of the Sklo Union Group, then rejoined Crystalex (an umbrella organisation for several factories including the Moravian group) in 1990.

That being said, Rosice worked with a lot of key designers such as Jiri Brabec, Rudolf Jurnikl, Jan Schmid, Vladislav Urban, Frantisek Vizner, and Rudolf Schrötter.

Rudolf Schrötter is the one that designed this ashtray, and he is considered the father of modern Czechoslovakian pressed glass. Born in Germany in 1887, he graduated as a designer and worked in a Rhine glass factory in Cologne. During mid-1910s, Rudolf began designing glass products whilst working for Inwald Glass Company, including the Lord, Pollax, Boule or Perforal sets, and with his 1920s and 1930s designs he was establishing himself as a glass work pioneer in terms of functionalism.

At the end of WWII, Rudolf was not stripped of his Czechoslovak citizenship like other Germans as he was irreplaceable for the glass industry and by a government decree of May 27, 1946 - exactly 78 years ago as I am writing this - he received a protection pass that basically exempted him from deportation, after the Communist takeover and nationalisation of all privately held companies in Czechoslovakia.

In 1955, a technical and artistic center for pressed glass for founded in Teplice, a small town at the border with Germany (close enough to Dresden), where Rudolf worked as a Chief Designer and designed this boopie ashtray.

His designs can now be found at the Teplice Museum and the British Museum, and soon enough in the midst of your home!

With a lovely boopie rim, made out of heavy glass, even though it was designed to be used as an ashtray, it now wears many hats, from trinket tray, candle holder, plant trivet or soap dish.

Product specifications

Country of manufacture — Czechoslovakia

Condition —Excellent — This vintage/antique piece is in near original condition. It may show minimal traces of use.

Restoration and Damage Details — Patina consistent with age and use.

Material — Glass

Size — 3 H x 13 cm Ø