'Sudety' Glassworks in Szczytna | 368

The glass industry in Szczytna can be traced back to the Middle Ages through forestry glassworks, however, the origins of the 'Sudety' glassworks date back to 1770, when the glassworks in Batorowo were built. The key figure in the operation of the glassworks was the owner of Szczytno, Major Leopold von Hochberg, who, by purchasing the estate in 1827, contributed to the great development of the glassworks. The 'Sudety' glassworks became an important artistic centre after 1945, as artists began to cooperate with the glassworks, producing their serial and unique works there. In 1959 Zbigniew Horbowy, who later became the head of the Design Centre at the smelter from 1959 to 1974, made his diploma work there. Artists such as Stefan Sadowski and Ewa Gerczuk-Moskaluk were also associated with the plant. The production of antico glass was developed at the glassworks in the 1960s. In the 1990s, the plant specialised in crystal production. In 2014, the glassworks was liquidated.