The Faceted Glass: A Symbol of the USSR
✏On September 11, 1943, the Gus-Khrustalny factory produced the first faceted glass with a rim—an item that would become one of the symbols of the Soviet Union. It was familiar to every Soviet citizen, as it was ubiquitous: found in canteens, restaurants, and cafés; used for tea in every kitchen; and utilized in soda vending machines and street-side fresh juice stalls.
✏The renowned sculptor Vera Ignatyevna Mukhina—creator of the famous *Worker and Kolkhoz Woman* statue—played a role in the creation of this specific Soviet glass design. It was a government commission. Georgy Malenkov, the then-Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, was spearheading the development of the country's public catering sector; he tasked the Leningrad Art Glass Factory—where Mukhina worked as an artist—with designing glassware suitable for use in such establishments.
✏Specialists were asked to design a glass that was durable, attractive, convenient to use, and easy to wash. Several prototypes were presented, including the faceted glass that would eventually be manufactured at the Gus Crystal Factory. The original version featured ten facets.
✏The classic faceted glass stood 10.5 centimeters tall, with a capacity of 200 ml up to the rim (often nicknamed "Marusya's belt") and 250 ml up to the very top. They come with 12, 14, 16, or 18 facets; the more facets a glass has, the higher its cost.
✏Faceted glasses were exceptionally durable thanks to the firing process used in their manufacture. The facets acted as structural ribs, reinforcing the strength of the glass.
Today, the faceted glass is rarely encountered in our daily lives.
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