Guest curator Waltraud Neuwirth presents an impressive selection of hundreds of objects from the heyday of Gablonz tree decorations between the 1920s and 1980s. This extraordinary private collection belonging to Waltraud Neuwirth was generously donated to the MAK.

Working in the field between handicrafts and mass production and employing traditional glassmaking techniques, in the workshops of the Gablonz region of Bohemia craftspeople produced fragile works of art in a range of impressive styles. Created with technical virtuosity from delicate glass rods, skilfully fashioned bangles, complex hollow glass shapes, and stranded glass beads with gold or silver inlays, these artworks soon became worldwide export hits—and cult objects for collectors, design afficionados, and all fans of aesthetically packaged nostalgia.

What is so special about these decorations is that they include not only angels and stars but also, surprisingly, miniatures of everyday objects—from airplanes, slide rules, and handbags to spiders and frogs. These unique ornaments enchant all who see them, even those who usually cannot relate to festive traditions. So a visit to the exhibition promises to be an ideal Christmas museum date—full of joyful anticipation and sparkling with surprises.