Cactus Vase
ABOUT THE PRODUCT
design: Jakub Berdych Karpelis, 2020 (2023)
material: blown and cut glass
dimensions: large vase 260 x 140 mm, small vase 130 x 130 mm
Hand cut vase made of "forest" glass. Its typical green colour is due to the iron oxide contained in the glass sand. The name 'forest' is due to the smelters that were established in the 14th century in the forests, where there was an abundance of raw materials for melting glass and heating in the glass furnaces.
It wouldn't be Qubus if it didn't work with hyperbole, and so we move from the forest to the prairie among the green cacti and are teased by little cut stars instead of thorns.
The low Cactus Vase Small and high Cactus Vase Big vases were created in 2023 in a limited edition of 23 pieces and are a celebration of handmade Czech glass. The history of green, so-called "forest" glass dates back to the 14th century. Glass decoration by cutting became popular in the Baroque period and is still popular today. Traditional glassmaking in the Czech Republic was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023, and the Cactus vase beautifully encapsulates this tradition.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Jakub Berdych Karpelis is the co-founder of Qubus studio. Since its inception in 2002, he has been focusing on conceptual work in traditional Czech materials such as glass and porcelain. He is credited with the brand's expansion beyond the Czech Republic and the creation of a number of works, complete collections and products now significant for the Qubus brand. Among the most famous projects is the reconstruction of the interior of the Church of St. Bartholomew in Chodovice. His works can be seen not only in Czech, but also in world famous galleries and collections such as Moss Gallery New York or Mint Gallery London and others. In addition to conceptual and product design, he also works in the field of interior design, architecture and free art. Since 2008 he has been the art director of the gallery store Dox by Qubus at the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art in Prague.
ABOUT THE BRAND
QUBUS (est. 2002)
Qubus has been provoking with conceptual design objects and art pieces for 24 years!
All Qubus products are HANDMADE IN BOHEMIA – handmade in the Czech Republic.
Qubus stands also for the first Czech design shop with its own production in Czech Republic, located in Rámová Street No.3 from the very beginnings in 2002. The luxury collectibles and everyday utility products are famous for their inventive design that ironically and humorously pushes the boundaries of your personal taste.
Qubus was founded in 2002 by artist, sculptor and designer Jakub Berdych Karpelis (1971), who invited Maxim Velčovský (1976), a recent graduate of UMPRUM, to collaborate with him. The design duo was behind the opening of the Qubus showroom in the same year. They co-directed the Qubus brand together as a duo until 2009. In 2009 Maxim left for LASVIT and since that Jakub followed as art director of Qubus – his own brand. Since 2010, Jakub Berdych Karpelis has remained as the art director and chief designer of the brand. In 2023 arts manager, curator and producer Marcela Straková (1977) has joined Jakub and since then they have been co-directing Qubus as artist-producer duo together towards the 25th anniversary which comes in May 2026.
In addition to conceptual and product design Qubus also carries out projects in the field of interior and exhibition design. Qubus has been awarded and Jakub also an author of several prestigious awards across the fields of culture, art and design, and has created a number of now iconic installations, collections and artworks under the Qubus brand.
Qubus products are characterized by the use of radical materials such as glass and porcelain, all created in local workshops and in collaboration with local masters of their craft.
The tiny imperfections and bubbles are a testament to handmade craftsmanship.
Qubus Design Studio serves as a platform for the artistic work of Jakub Berdych Karpelis and other artists/designers that Qubus invites to collaborate.
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