Porcelain production has a long history with many exciting stories to offer. However, the stories of glasswork seem to be undiscovered. But its origins go all the way back to ancient Egypt and last up until the 21st century. During our time scouting in Berlin, we found out that not all glass is the same when it comes to its feel, care, design. And, of course, its sound. In all that fields, traditionally manufactured, high-quality glass stands out from the industrial mass-produced goods. One traditional German brand has been consistently demonstrating how the highest quality glasswork can also be affordable. This brand is called – Stölzle Lausitz.
GLASSWORK TRADITION IN LUSATIA
The operators of glassworks have always made sure to locate their factories in areas where the necessary raw materials for the manufacture of their products were available. If it was once wood that was needed in large quantities to fire the kilns, it was later coal. Quartz, sand, clay, and limestone are also important elements in the manufacture of glass.
They are precisely these raw materials that are available in large quantities in one region in Germany, namely in Weißwasser in Lusatia.
This small town has a surprisingly big name because it was the center of German glass-making art for a long time. The origins of the Lusatian glass craft go back to the late Middle Ages. A document from the 15th century mentions glassworks in Lusatia for the first time, stating that they made greenish or brownish “forest glass”.
Eleven glassworks were located in Weißwasser alone for decades. One of them was founded in 1889, a hundred years before the reunification of Germany.
But, two World Wars, the division of Germany, and globalization have also left their mark on this city near the Polish border. As a result, it is even more impressive that Stölzle Lausitz, like a small Gallic village in the Roman Empire, was able to assert itself against the international mass market.
DESIGN & FUNCTIONALITY. STÖLZLE THINKS GREEN
One of the most important issues nowadays is the containment of CO². And, linked to it, the return to regional production. This helps to reduce transport and general pollutants. At the same time, the local labor market is promoted.
Each crystal glass is made using Lausitz quartz sand, combined with soda, potash and feldspar. There is also an environmentally conscious aspect of the production – Stölzle Lausitz adds its own shards of crystal glass during the glass melting, which helps to save energy.
The company’s stand on sustainability could also be seen in its decision to blend design and functionality. The inspiration for it comes from Bauhaus-pioneer Prof. Wilhelm Wagenfeld, who said:
“We need long-lasting quality products”.
For example, the machine pulled, and melted stems are thoughtfully made to ensure their elegance, but also their stability to ensure that they are long-lasting.
The choice to have no joint between the stem, bowl, or seamlines makes the glasses look handmade and elegant whilst also being pleasant to hold.
The secret purpose for it is also to resist breakage and to raise awareness that high quality is often more environmentally friendly, and it doesn’t end with the first touch!
LET’S TOUCH AND TRY STÖLZLE LAUSITZ GLASSES
Stölzle Lausitz offers glasses, mugs, carafes, jugs, and much more. All of them merge modern designs with timeless classics. Despite their high quality, are affordable for everyone.
The enjoyment of the drinks from Stölzle Lausitz glasses starts from the first touch. Gentle, elegant and crystal-clear glass feels like a luxury accessory in your hand.
It is always a pleasure to see the champagne bubbles creating intricate choreography upwards through the glass.
Never before has machine-made glass been produced so close to the mouth-blown glass with a gracefully slim stem and a gentle thin-walled bowl.
Watch the video HERE.
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MAKE YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE
Developed together with sommeliers, the RIESLING series was a beautiful and high functional masterpiece. This range covers the variety of tastes of this special type of wine.
The design and functionality of these glasses proved to be so excellent that many people didn’t want to waive the special experience with other types of wine.
This is how the RIESLING series became the EXPERIENCE series. But is still today the number one choice for Riesling lovers.
The machine pulled stem glasses impress with their elegant and stylish shape combined with a high wine performance.
The combination of sweeping curves and clear tapering contributes to ideal wine consumption.
The deep sculpted larger circumference of the bowl tapers funnel-shaped into the pulled stem thus creating rigid elegance and high stability. Next to the stem glasses, the range EXPERIENCE has five tumblers and an XL-glass with a capacity of 21 liters.
FEEL THE POWER
Besides a delicious coffee, juice or smoothies are the perfect companions for a powerful start into the morning. In the afternoon and evening, a fresh aperitive or cocktail also gives power. But a good red or white wine completes an energetic day perfectly.
The series POWER is an eye-catcher and flatterer. It’s characterized by its puristic, expressive form. The glasses give all drinks, but most of all wine a maximum breathing surface. That is the result of the flat bowl ground which is the largest extension of the bowl.
This results in an extremely sustained funnel, which leads the bouquet of the wine directly to the epicure. No additional curves and indentations cause the chimney effect to break. The enriched bouquet of the wine is led directly to the nose of the connoisseur. POWER thus offers the best conditions for maximum enjoyment.
The distinctive goblet of the glass is carried by a slightly waisted stem, which also dives seamlessly into the goblet as well as into the bottom plate. This gives the overall appearance of the POWER glasses an astonishing lightness while underlining the straightforward design.
Because of the incomparable interplay of form and functionality, POWER won two prestigious design awards, the German Design Award 2018 and the iF Design Award 2018.
FEEL THE SPIRIT OF NEW YORK
The bar glass series NEW YORK BAR consists of tumblers for juices, mixed drinks, long drinks, Campari, whisky, schnapps and Co.
The straight, well-defined shapes demonstrate the necessary competence in every area of application. The heavy glasses give cocktail and spirits lovers real flattering flavors. High-quality crystal glass ensures special hardness, break and scratch resistance combined with excellent brilliance and dishwasher resistance of the glass.
The two new matt decorative finishes “Club” and “Manhattan” now lend a special touch to the after-work drink as well as the aperitif or digestif.
FEEL LIKE A STAR
The STARlight series appears in a balanced shape.
A seamless and deep-drawn transition between stem and goblet as well as perfectly proportioned matching profiles giving the goblets of lead-free crystal glass a high degree of functionality with a harmonious appearance.
The special feature of this series is the fineness of the glass. For example, the stem has a diameter that is about ten percent smaller than that of conventional machine-made glasses. And the goblet also has a noticeably thinner wall thickness compared to other glasses from machine production.
In this way, the STARlight series combines lightness with extraordinary elegance.
The usual features such as being dishwasher safe, and high breakage resistance, making these glasses ideal for both professional and home dining.
Inside the Stölzle champagne glasses called HIGHLIGHT, the choreography is even more dynamic because of the special technique used to illuminate the stem.
Not only champagne but also QUATROPHIL & Q1 wine glasses with a high, filigree stem and the cubic shape maximizes the flavor, therefore, winning every wine lovers’ heart.
FEEL LIKE JAMES BOND
Fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the theatrical release of James Bond – No Time To Die. The most beloved secret agent in her Majesty’s service is known for his fondness for cocktails, especially the Martini.
Whether shaken or stirred, with the Stölzle Lausitz Elements cocktail glass everyone shines in a special light and can especially enjoy the drink.
In addition to ten monochrome earth colors and the three metal tones gold, silver, and bronze, ELEMENTS is extended by tumblers, cocktail, and champagne bowls with matt white or matt black surfaces. As a counterpoint to this, the colors gold, silver, or bronze shine very intense from the inside.
The ELEMENTS tumblers are additionally extended by the color combination black-red. Once matt black outside and red inside, once matt red outside and black inside.
FEEL THE ELEMENTS
In general, colored drinking glasses are very popular as accentuating elements. A warm gray, olive green, or a rich brown are only three colors of the series ELEMENTS.
The colors are adapted to the current trends.
The range is chosen in such a way that the universally applicable tumblers, both individually, or in combination, achieve the discreet but desired attention for which they are used.
Stölzle Lausitz’s ELEMENT glasses were often the choice for our interviews.
The reason is simple. These charming glasses bring a special sparkle to any social atmosphere while enjoying a drink and an open talk or even just by complimenting the interior.
Each glasses series has a special characteristic to uplift daily life from morning until evening.
For example, the black matt & gold martini, and long-drink glass expresses not only mysteriousness but also brings a very unique enjoyment because while sipping you are able to see the golden filling inside.
FEEL RELAXED
Do you know the moment when you want to slumber a bit longer and enjoy your tea or coffee in bed? Drowsy, you look for the handle, or you grab the cup directly. Ouch. Hot.
Thus, one of Jordin’s favorite picks is the oriental style double-walled tea and COFFEE ‘N More glass. She had an earl gray in the morning while reading. Her drink stayed warm until the very last page! Because of the double wall, the glass helps to keep beverages warm. Moreover, you can even use the glass in the microwave.
Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express, not to impress
As the saying underlines: “Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express, not to impress”, Stölzle proves that after 128 years of glass production, the company is very worthy of applause for their unique story, high performance, and thoughtfulness on consumers’ well-being as well as the environment.
By using Stölzle glasses we express quality, which is proved over time, and appreciation of well-designed and meaningful goods. Moreover, we support local businesses. Last but not least, long-lasting products, no matter whether they are glasses or any other good of our everyday life, ensure that our progeny can enjoy a cleaner and healthy earth. A good reason to raise the glass. Cheers, chin-chin, salut and Prost!
Find all products on the official Stölzle Lausitz webhop.
Text: Kristina Kurapkaityte, Amy May Ellis, Marco Kokkot
Photos: Marco Kokkot
