Gusev Crystal Factory, which now bears the name of its founder Akim Maltsov, is one of the legendary Russian brands, well known all over the world.
This family empire began its history with a small enterprise founded in 1723 by merchant Vasily Maltsov in Mozhaisk district. In modern terms, the Maltsovs were monopolists of the Russian glass and crystal market and tirelessly expanded their business, striving to surpass the skillfully executed and most fashionable Western models in everything. In 1756, another crystal factory was founded by Vasily’s son, Akim Maltsov, in the Vladimir district of the Moscow province, near the village of Nikulin, in the Shivorovo tract, on the Gus River. Hence, in fact, the name of the future city — Gus-Khrustalny-arose.
Russian Russian crystal production By the middle of the XIX century, the Gusev factory of the Maltsovs was listed in the lists of manufactories as a “purely Russian crystal production”, which worked exclusively on domestic raw materials and fuel, and had Russian personnel. The original works of the Gusev masters were famous far beyond the Russian borders and invariably made a splash at prestigious international exhibitions. Among the regular customers and buyers were famous collectors, the largest jewelry companies and even royalty.
However, in the history of the enterprise there were not only years of triumph and glory, but also disturbing episodes, and truly dramatic periods. More recently, the plant almost ceased to exist, but production was revived.
Today, the traditions of the old masters are continued here by specialists of unique professions: glassmakers, blowmakers, diamond makers, artists, engravers… Handmade products created by them can be seen in the expositions of the largest museums and galleries, they are also in private collections-not only in Russia, but also abroad.
The fact that the works of modern Gusev masters are able to delight and inspire as well as the unique works of their predecessors is undoubtedly. As well as the fact that the cherished secrets have not been lost: the aesthetic value and high quality of decorative plastics, table setting and interior decoration items marked with the “GKHZ” logo still make them worthy objects for collecting, ideal gifts that demonstrate the excellent taste and financial viability of the donors. And the Gusev masterpieces have not lost their applied significance.
The current managers of the enterprise are sure that while preserving the style and soul of the famous craft, it is important not to limit the freedom of creative experiment. The variety of materials, artistic techniques and technological processes allows us to embody the most daring ideas in crystal today.
The Maltsov Crystal Factory is one of the few (on a global scale!) enterprises that own the technology of manufacturing products from overhead crystal. Another important feature of the works of the Gusev masters is the richest color palette.
And more about continuity and prospects. Young designers and students of art universities are increasingly responding to the offer to take an internship at the production base of the enterprise, and factory artists regularly receive prizes from professional competitions and become winners of the All-Russian review “Young Talents”.
Despite everything, as before, the name of the legendary enterprise sounds weighty, with great dignity. The interest in true beauty returns, the understanding returns that stamped trinkets, even if expensive and status, will never become an heirloom, but a crystal vase or a handmade service with its own history will be passed down from generation to generation. As well as the traditions of the world-famous school of Gusev crystal makers.