Lasvit’s Herbarium unveiled as Czechia’s official gift to the United Nations
Starting this week, Czechia has a new gift on display at the United Nations in New York. The glass installation, titled Herbarium and created by Czech glass company Lasvit, was officially unveiled on Monday by President Petr Pavel.
“May the Herbarium inspire all who enter the United Nations to cherish the beauty of our planet and reaffirm their commitment to protect it. May this gift serve as a beacon of hope, unity, and peace,” President Pavel said at the unveiling ceremony.
The artwork will be permanently displayed at the entrance to the General Assembly building in Manhattan. Made of hand-blown crystal glass, it evokes drops of water in which fragments of plants are preserved.
Designed by artist Mária Čulenová-Hostinová, the installation reflects Czechia’s long tradition of glassmaking while carrying a broader message about protecting biodiversity and safeguarding nature for future generations.
Pavel Koudelka, head of the U.S. branch of Lasvit, the Nový Bor-based company that produced the piece, highlighted both tradition and craftsmanship:
“It symbolizes the wonderful tradition of Czech glassmaking through this herbarium, and at the same time, the incredible craftsmanship of Bohemia. It reflects the beauty of nature, but also the beauty of the people who put their heart and their art into it.”
Mounted on a stainless steel panel, the Herbarium was donated by Lasvit free of charge, while the Czech state covered transport and installation costs.
The company is known worldwide for combining traditional techniques with modern design. The Herbarium was no exception. Its creation involved a special glassmaking technique that imprints plants directly into the material. Koudelka described the process:
“We worked with hot glass, poured onto a sheet where the plant was placed. That way, it leaves its imprint in the glass. The piece was completed in just three months, including installation.”
The installation includes imprints of a wide range of herbs and flowers collected around the north Bohemian town of Nový Bor, the seat of Lasvit and a region renowned for its glassmaking heritage.
“These are imprints of various plants and flowers. The biodiversity around Nový Bor is enormous, so we use many local plants, often dried. But of course, based on the client’s wish, we can also incorporate flowers from their own region to create a personal herbarium,” Koudelka added.
With this contribution, Czechia joins around 130 nations that have donated official artworks to the UN, a tradition dating back to 1950. The collection now includes iconic pieces such as a tapestry reproduction of Picasso’s Guernica and sculptures of Nelson Mandela and Saints Cyril and Methodius.
For Czechia, the unveiling of the Herbarium marks the end of a lengthy process. It took nearly a decade of negotiations before the country was able to secure approval for its gift to be accepted and displayed at the United Nations.
