Novotný Glass

Novotný Glass is a place where we all discover the beauty of glass, a place where art, culture, and cuisine merge as one unforgettable experience. The premises combine a glassworks, a museum with a unique exhibition of more than 300 works by Czech and international glass artists—including the largest collection of glass by Bořek Šípek anywhere—and a shop with a selection of studio and drinking glass. There is also a glassworks restaurant where diners get a perfect view of the master glassmakers at work right at the furnace.

This family business was founded by legendary glassmaker Petr Novotný, a prominent figure on the Czech and international glass scene.

Novotný Glass is also a place of culture and experiences, hosting glassmaking shows and get-togethers, exhibition openings, public events, and programmes for art school students. Or book in advance and try blowing your very own piece of glass under the guidance of an experienced master glassmaker. It's crystal-clear that Novotný Glass is still a vibrant hub on the Czech and world glassmaking scene, sharing the fascinating world of glass with visitors from all over the world.

Petr Novotný – A Global Glassmaking Legend

Petr Novotný (1952–2024) was one of the greatest Czech master glassmakers of all time, a true icon of international glass art. By the 1980s, he was celebrated as one of the world's finest glassblowers, renowned for his flawless craftsmanship and for his exceptional talent in bringing the visions of global artists and designers to life. Throughout his career, he worked alongside prominent figures such as René Roubíček, Pavel Hlava, and Dale Chihuly. And in 1994 he joined forces with designer Bořek Šípek and glass technologist Libor Fafala to co-found the iconic AJETO glassworks.

AJETO quickly became a symbol of world-class hand-crafted glass, creating stunning pieces for architecture and design projects worldwide. The studio’s creations have graced prestigious locations ranging from Prague Castle and Innsbruck Casino to Karl Lagerfeld’s luxury boutiques and major international museums. Petr Novotný can be thanked for the creation of spectacular collections, prestigious trophies, and unique artworks alike. Today, these masterpieces are proudly displayed in prestigious galleries and private collections all around the world.

As an educator, he taught at the prestigious Pilchuck Glass School in the USA, led international workshops, and championed Czech glass at global symposia. He also trained glassmakers in India through a United Nations programme and was deeply committed to reviving historic techniques, specializing in replicas of medieval forest glass and the restoration of Venetian chandeliers.

In 1997, Novotný opened a gallery on the main road in Nový Bor, featuring an interior designed by Bořek Šípek. Soon after, he installed small glassmaking furnaces in the basement. When manufacturer Crystalex put an abandoned nearby kindergarten up for sale, Novotný immediately bought it and transformed the space into a unique hub, combining a working glassworks with a restaurant and a museum of contemporary glass under the Ajeto brand, known today as Novotný Glass.

In 2017, Petr Novotný sold the AJETO glassworks in Lindava to design company Lasvit and renamed his Nový Bor complex "Novotný Glass".