Background
Photo by Photobank Lori
The history of this city began in the middle of the eigteenth century. In 1756 the merchant Akim Maltzov founded a crystal factory ( ‘hrustalny’ means crystal) and development of Russian glass-making began. For almost half of a century the factory belonged to Maltzev’s family, who became founders not only of glass-making, but also the began a unique glass collection kept at the Maltzev Crystal Museum. By 1798 Maltzev had become one of the largest glassmakers in Russia. Among products produced were bottles, glasses, wine-glasses of pure glass, decorated with gold and silver. Later Maltzev was permitted to have his own brand, M.B. The revolution and World War I were heavy burdens for the glass industry. By 1921 only a few factories in Russia – Gusevskaya (Gus-Hrustalny), Diatkovskay and Nikolsko-Bahmetevskaya – produced glass. In 1958 the city celebrated its 200th anniversary.
