Our flasks come to life in the laboratory kitchen

15. May 2024

Sometimes we get involved in a project that truly delights us—not just because of its idea, but also thanks to wonderful collaboration. And that's exactly what happened when the Museum in Semily approached us for help with the reconstruction of the so-called laboratory kitchen—a part of the new exhibition titled Healers of Pojizeří and Podkrkonoší. The laboratory workers were herbalists and medicinal processors who worked on the Silesian side of the Krkonoše Mountains in the 18th century. They had their own guild, secret recipes, and when making their products, even used distillation in glass retorts—precisely those became our task. According to a surviving period postcard, we made two glass retorts for the museum for the exhibition and an extra one as a spare. And we admit, we had to learn to let go of our usual desire for perfect symmetry—this was not about laboratory accuracy but about making the most faithful reconstruction with the soul and irregularities of handmade work. And it was a joy! Besides ourselves, blacksmith Luboš Gottwald from Dolní Lánov took part in the project as well, making beautiful cast-iron doors for the stove and the smokehouse. Altogether, something was created with a truly powerful story. We are very happy to have been part of this exceptional museum project and we look forward to being able to see the new exhibition in person. We thank the Semily museum for their trust—and recommend that you visit once everything is finished.