What the faceted glass symbolizes. Faceted glass

The Soviet faceted glass is a real legend and symbol that can compete in popularity and recognition with a bear, Cheburashka, vodka and a Kalashnikov assault rifle. In fact, it will be difficult to find a thing in Soviet "folklore" that would be surrounded by a large number of myths. So, let's talk about this piece of dishes and the symbol of Soviet catering in more detail.

How many faces and why

The first step is to hit the facet myth. In fact, the classic Soviet faceted glasses had more than just 18 faces. There were also glasses with 20, 14, 12, 16 and even 10 faces. The choice of this shape is due to reasons of an extremely pragmatic sense - a glass with an even number of edges is much easier to mass produce. The same goes for volumes. Faceted Soviet glasses were available in 50, 100, 150, 200 and 350 ml. The cost of a glass ranged from 3 to 14 kopecks.

In addition, the correct geometric shape made the glass very durable and well protected from falls, which significantly increased its value for use in catering facilities.
However, there are very “poetic” versions that 16 faces symbolized the number of republics of the USSR! These versions, of course, have nothing to do with reality.

Who was the first to come up with

In fact, the faceted glass was not invented in the USSR at all. This piece of crockery existed in the days of the Russian Empire. Of course, the first glasses did not look like that at all, and the logic was different. Some historians claim that the first faceted glasses appeared in Russia under Peter I due to the development of the fleet. The ships urgently needed non-falling dishes.

The classic Soviet faceted glass was invented by the artist and sculptor Vera Mukhina, the one who created the Worker and Collective Farm Woman monument. The first such glass was produced in 1943 at the Gus-Khrustalny glass factory (the oldest similar enterprise in Russia).

With the authorship of the glass, however, one can also find "entertaining" mythical versions. For example, what the artist Kazimir Malevich came up with while in besieged Leningrad. But the creator of the "Black Square" died back in 1935 at the age of 56.

Want to see even more interesting things from the era of the Soviet Union? Then read about that, to your delight.

We, who had the good fortune (?) To catch the Soviet power alive and even (some) grew up with it, many everyday things that did not cause any special emotions then (and sometimes irritated) now, as we move away from the times of our beautiful childhood, are increasingly becoming a reason for nostalgia. Where have vending machines with soda for 1 kopeck and three rubles with syrup gone? Who was hindered? I want to have a cold soda in the summer! Gentlemen businessmen, ay!

Why did not a reusable licked faceted glass, lightly rinsed with tap water, cause any epidemics? And I will explain to you, dear comrades! Because a faceted glass tends to accumulate cosmic life-giving force in its perfect forms! This power not only wets all microbes without any disinfection, but also clearly contributes to spiritual upliftment and even, at times, (for some chosen ones) enlightenment when drinking from this uplifting spirit-uplifting special enlightening drinks.

Remember yourself, what is tempting to talk about in the process of using the national clarifier from some Chinese glass, or, God forbid, a lousy plastic disposable cup? That's right, about football, fishing, women, women and cars. That is, about objects of base, everyday and mundane.

And only launched into the body from the correct space device, popularly referred to as the Faceted Glass (hereinafter referred to as the GS), the enlightener leads the recipient to thoughts about the sublime: about respect for the individual, about the meaning / meaninglessness of human existence, about the people's welfare and other otherworldly things, in everyday life not meeting.

When I suddenly discovered the Cosmic Significance of the GE for the Russian consciousness in general and the philosophical understanding of our reality in particular, I could not remain indifferent. The deplorable state of spirituality of our people is the result of the disappearance of the GE from everyday life! It is necessary to save at least the little that remains! And as a result of practically archaeological excavations in attics, closets and even underground, this collection gradually began to gather. Suddenly it turned out that I am not the only one concerned about the fate of the Russian consciousness of the Faceted Glass: http://periskop.livejournal.com/777120.html#cutid1

Therefore, I decided to present to the public several exhibits from my collection with a brief history of each find.

1. Glass Faceted "Lipasty" type GS-14.

Has a capacity of 250 grams (to the top) or 200 (to the "lip"). Note that only in the TRUE three GS with a capacity of 250 grams, you can accurately pour 500 grams of the drink! Try the same experiment with mugs or other utensils. Nie-fi-ha! Here is the proof of the Cosmicity of the native GE - only with its help you can divide 500 by 3 without a remainder.

This photo shows a sample of a 14-sided HS manufactured no later than the 50s. This magnificent specimen was found wrapped in a 1958 newspaper in the attic of a dilapidated summer cottage. This made it possible to make an approximate estimate of the age of the find. After the restoration of washing, the rarity is regularly used for its intended purpose. Due to its versatility, it is very helpful in finding inspiration. In particular, he unexpectedly inspired me to build a new country toilet.

1. Glass Faceted "Lipasty" type GS-20

The capacity of this miracle is no different from the usual GS-14. The same classic 200/250. But a miracle is a miracle.

This remarkable exhibit was found in an old rustic barn on a shelf. The time of creation of the GS-20 space device is lost in the gloom of years. But the place of the find undoubtedly proves that finely cut HS can also be used in agriculture, for example, for milk yield and weight gain! However, the experiment on the use of this device was also very successful in humans. GS-20 remarkably liberates the inner world and frees consciousness for flight into cosmic distances and contributes to the painless return of the departed spiritual property back in the morning.

1. Glass "small" type MGS-16

This is the "younger brother" of the classic "lip" GS. It is used mainly by women as measuring dishes and for drinking a large number of drinks using the “Oh, I don't drink at all! I have a little bit on the bottom! "

Helps women to become at least a little closer to men. If not biologically, then at least intellectually. Favorite capacity of mothers-in-law and cousins ​​from the provinces.

1. Festive faceted stack SGP-14

Of course, the classic GS is universal and all-encompassing, but if you decide to visit the cosmic distance in the company of other astronauts and intellectual drunks, then the travel costs increase dramatically!

For such cases of group travel, a tale was invented about the "indecency" of use in society from the classic GS, and as a fig leaf, a "decent" SGP-14 with a capacity of 100 grams was invented.

With a reasonable travel speed, the SGP-14 allows, on the one hand, to maintain decency and, on the other, to travel to nirvana in economy class.

1. Glass faceted microscopic RGM-12

It is used only in exceptional cases for the use of drinks with a cosmic price or fantastically disgusting taste. RGM-12, like its older brothers, greatly enhances the positive effect of conditionally useful (or supposedly healing) substances placed inside, and therefore enjoys great success with heart patients, hypertensive patients and other sufferers. In fact, the afflicted are not helped at all by their disgusting drugs, but by the flow of cosmic life-giving force, and sparkling in the facets of this masterpiece.

Note that native Petersburg old women prefer to drip their valocordin in RGM-12. They know the true power of the cosmic facets.

Finally - a group photo:

Somewhat apart from the HS is such a phenomenon as Slim Glass (TC) and its integral part and second essence Cup holder (PS).

The creation of the aesthetes of the Silver Age was so fond of the common people and their heads of executioners that even after the liquidation of the Silver Age, together with its creators, the TS + PS tandem did not disappear, but took an honorable place in Soviet life.

I also like to drink tea from a thin transparent glass with a glass holder. The taste of the drink, pleasing the eye with a golden lemon floating in the waves of real tea, not from a newspaper bag, but from a pot-bellied teapot with a red flower on its side, becomes wonderful to the point of uniqueness. None, even the most elegant porcelain (earthenware, iron, plastic and other) dishes will give the eye the aesthetic pleasure that we have when we take this wonderful masterpiece of Russian artistic (and technical) thought in our hands.

Especially brightly high artistic (not to mention taste!) Advantages of drinking tea from TS + PS are revealed when using a real wood-fired samovar. But Samovar deserves a separate post and I just touched on its topic here with this photo.

So gentlemen! I call on you to support the Russian consciousness in general and its embodiment - the Faceted Glass in particular! Without the production and implementation of which on a large scale, the revival of our primordial spirituality and moral purity, immanently inherent in the Russian people, is impossible.

When there is something to drink, but there is no reason, our inventive people have been celebrating the day of the faceted glass for many decades. Meanwhile, such a date - the birthday of the glass - exists. Moreover, dear readers, it is necessary to celebrate it on September 11, and only once a year.

The history of the origin of this date is not known for certain, but, according to some sources, it was on this day in 1943 that an updated faceted glass came off the assembly line of one of the oldest glass factories in Russia in the city of Gus-Khrustalny, Vladimir Region. Why updated? Because the granchaks existed long before that day, and then the glass only acquired a new shape, which made it one of the symbols of the Soviet Union. Why refresh the glass in the midst of a war, you ask. To answer this and many other questions, and at the same time arrange for you another legitimate reason to drink, we decided to investigate the fate of a faceted glass.

Svetlana Yavisenko, a researcher at the Museum of the sculptor Vera Mukhina (Feodosia), and Vera Kostina, head of the demonstration hall of the Experimental Glass Factory (Gus-Khrustalny, Vladimir Region, Russia), told us about the history of this legendary product of the glass industry.

FOREIGNER "FOREIGNER" LIKE KINGS

The faceted glass was not invented in the USSR at all, as many think. The predecessors of the familiar to us granchaks were blown on the territory of Russia as early as the 17th century, and many samples of this tableware, according to Vera Kostina, are kept in the Hermitage. In addition, there is a legend about how the well-known Vladimir glassblower Efim Smolin presented a thick-walled granchak to Peter I, assuring the monarch that he did not fight. The tsar liked the idea. Firstly, Peter, a fan of everything European, gladly switched from wooden mugs to more fashionable glass, and secondly, the granchak did not roll on the table when he was rolling, and he held better in his hand. So, according to legend, having tasted wine from a vessel, Peter slammed it to the ground "for testing," and that one take it and break it. At the same time, they say, Peter shouted: "There will be a glass!" Although, for the sake of objectivity, it must be admitted that by that time many peoples had similar customs and they broke a lot of different dishes on different occasions.

Another confirmation of the "antiquity" of faceted glasses is their mention in a special army doctrine published by Paul I at the end of the 18th century. Trying to reform the Russian army, which at that time was very far from full combat readiness, the monarch limited the daily allowance of wine to the soldiers with just one faceted glass.

"Breakfast" by Velazquez. Granchak may turn out to be a foreigner

But to believe that faceted glasses were only in Russia is wrong. To do this, just look at the picture of the Spanish painter Diego Velazquez "Breakfast" - there is a faceted glass, although its edges differ from the vertical ones we are used to. And if you consider that the picture was painted in 1617-1618, then it may so happen that a faceted glass came to us from behind a hillock. This fact is also supported by the fact that the production of glasses by the pressing method (just according to this technology, faceted glasses were made in the USSR) was invented in the 1820s in ... the USA. Production using this technology in the States was launched only in the middle of the 19th century, while this technique came to Russia only at the beginning of the 20th century.

MUKHINA: WORKER, COLLECTIVE MOTHER AND GRANCHAK

Mukhina. She worked not only with monuments, but also with glass

The "second" life of a faceted glass, full of nationwide recognition, also began mysteriously and there is not so much reliable information about its reincarnation. Rumor stubbornly attributes the authorship (more precisely, the modernization) of the granchak to Vera Mukhina. The same one that we all know as the author of the monumental sculpture "Worker and Collective Farm Woman", for which she was rewarded with the Stalin Prize. Alas, today few people know that Vera Ignatievna was not only a sculptor and created not only multi-ton monuments. In various periods of her life, she was engaged in the creation of scenery and costumes for the theater and graphic design (drew labels and posters), sewing a collection of women's clothing (models created from simple fabrics, such as matting and cloth, were very well received in the capital of fashion - Paris). designed interiors, worked with porcelain and, of course, with glass. Moreover, Vera Ignatievna became an adherent of the so-called cavity sculpture (the sculpture was created inside a solid bar of glass).

It is believed that Mukhina had to re-create the glass after industrial dishwashers were imported to the Soviet Union in the late 1930s. The problem was that the existing glass containers were mercilessly beaten by these automatic dishwashers, and the sculptor, according to legend, had to create a vessel that would "survive" after washing in a foreign technique. According to one version, she looked at the design of the glasses from the mining engineer, professor of geology Nikolai Slavyanov, who at one time invented arc welding. He allegedly drew sketches of multifaceted glasses at his leisure, but was going to make them out of metal. And Mukhina replayed everything and offered glass. According to another version, Mukhina worked on the glass together with the famous avant-garde artist Kazimir Malevich (the one who wrote "Black Square"). But, I must say, all these versions do not stand up to criticism. Firstly, Nikolai Slavyanov died in 1897, Malevich - in 1935, and the canonical faceted glass saw the light of day in 1943. Secondly, connoisseurs of Mukhina's creativity note that she began to actively work with glass only in the second half of the 40s of the last century, and besides, she staged her bold experiments with glass on the basis of the Leningrad Experimental Factory of Art Glass. And, as you know, from 1941 to the beginning of 1944, Leningrad was in a blockade and it is unlikely that the sculptor worked in such inhuman conditions. Moreover, there is no documentary evidence that the Granchak we are used to is the work of Mukhina.

1918th. Petrov-Vodkin's glass looks like a modern one

So, most likely, a classic faceted glass is the work of an unknown designer or technologist. But authorship is the tenth thing. The main thing is that the order was fulfilled and the people received a convenient multifaceted vessel. By the way, those dishwashers for which it was being modernized did not last long - the dishes in them continued to fight, only the renewed glasses were doing well. The secret was probably in the technology of making the granchak. It was made of a fairly thick glass. It was cooked at a temperature of about 1500 °, fired twice and cut using a special technology. And also, they say, for greater strength, lead was added to the glasses, which makes the glass stronger and more "playing" in the light. But, by the way, lovers of glassware of the Soviet period should not forget Mukhina, because it was she who created the design of the classic beer mug. And this, in contrast to the "glass" speculation, is a fact!

NEW LIFE OF A FACETED GLASS

Today the Granchak, who used to be in almost every home, fell into oblivion. It is not so easy to find a faceted glass or glass these days, but all because the products, which were previously riveted by tens of millions a year, have been taken out of production by most factories. The plant in Gus-Khrustalny, where the first Soviet granchak was produced, is now making glasses for IKEA. "We now make mainly European dishes - transparent, in which the contents are clearly visible. This cannot be said about a faceted glass. This is already exotic, which we make only to order," Vera Kostina said.

Look for the barcode in the edges. Photo artlebedev.ru

Now Granchak has a new life - he has become an art object and a reason to become famous. For example, the well-known Russian design bureau Artemiy Lebedev has turned to a glass for inspiration twice over the years. So, playing with the studio's logo (symbiosis of a barcode with the words art. Lebedev), its designers played with the reflections of the glass edges and, as a result, the branded barcode was easily read on the poster. The second project was called mysteriously by the "Lebedevites" - "Latustridus". With the goal of "having a snack with a faceted glass", they developed the design of a waffle cone for ice cream. According to the tradition of Soviet ice cream makers, a round piece of paper covered the top of the product, cheerfully informing that there was a "tasty ice cream" inside. Alas, no one has launched this creative into mass production.

Photo artlebedev.ru

Another design bureau, for fun, developed a special packaging for six faceted glasses - the packaging was designed in the Soviet style.

And for some, the glass became an occasion to entertain the audience and become famous. So, in 2005 in Izhevsk (Udmurtia, RF) on the City Day a pyramid of faceted glasses with a record height of 245 centimeters was built. 2024 glasses were spent on "construction". So one of the local distilleries decided to become famous, breaking the record set six months earlier in Yekaterinburg. There, 2,500 glasses were lined up in a pyramid with a height of one and a half meters.

There are 2024 granchakas in this tower

WITH THE HELP OF GRANCHAK ...

SCULPTED

The housewives used a faceted glass for cutting out "blanks" for dumplings and dumplings from the dough. Depending on the required size, large (200–250 ml) or small (100–150 ml) granchaks were taken. Many people still use this method, although nowadays many devices for molding dumplings and dumplings have appeared in stores.

MEASURED

The glass has firmly established itself in the kitchens of Soviet citizens, becoming a universal culinary yardstick. Since the first edition of the classic "Book of Delicious and Healthy Food" (1939), glasses, not grams, were measured not only for water, sugar and flour, but also seeds, legumes, berries and much more.

"DRYED"

Granchak was used not only in the kitchen. In houses where the windows were made of 2 separate frames, one could often see a half-glass (faceted glass with a volume of 100 ml) with salt between them. So in winter they reduced the air humidity between the frames and prevented the formation of frost on the glass and their icing.

Divorced

Summer residents and other gardeners also took the Granchak into circulation. It turned out that it is more convenient in it than in peat, in a paper cup, and even more so in a box, to grow and dive (remove part of the root for the development of the root system) seedlings. They do not "litter" and do not spoil the view of the windowsill if the seedlings are prepared at home.

ONLY YOU CAN'T COME UP

The Stakhanov movement, they say, could become Stakhanov's. There is an opinion that the real name of the hero of labor was Stakanov. It is clear that there could not be a hero with such a surname in the country of victorious communism, and the surname was "cleaned up".

Drinking phrase "think for three?" owes its appearance to a faceted glass. This happened in the Khrushchev era, when the authorities banned the sale of bottled vodka, and convenient for individual use "scoundrels" (125 ml) and "chekushki" (200-250 ml) disappeared from sale. A bottle of vodka did not fit into two glasses, but it was divided into three perfectly. So they "pondered".

A faceted glass is considered one of the symbols of the Soviet era. The era is over, and glasses are still stored and even used in many families.

What is the secret of such popularity of this dish? When and where did it appear on Soviet shelves? What secrets does the legendary glass keep?

The beginning of the legend

Despite its widespread popularity, the true history of the emergence of the faceted glass is covered with darkness. There are several versions of its appearance. One of the most common, for example, says that faceted glasses appeared in Russia during the time of Peter I.

As one of the stories of the origin of the faceted glass says, the first was presented to the emperor by the glass-maker from Vladimir Efim Smolin. Thus, the master offered Peter a solution to the problem that was encountered everywhere in the fleet.

The crux of the problem was that during the pumping, ordinary glasses slid off the tables and beat in huge quantities, which incurred losses not only to the naval commanders, but also to the treasury.

Yefim, on the other hand, demonstrated a glass, which, due to the peculiarities of its structure, was not "in a hurry" to roll off the table, but, having rolled down, should not have broken on the deck.

The legend also tells that the emperor immediately tested the invention - he drank a strong drink from it and threw it on the floor to test its strength.

Despite the fact that the glass thrown by Peter, contrary to the assertions of its creator, nevertheless broke, the monarch approved the innovation and ordered the introduction of such dishes into use.

At first, the novelty was used exclusively in the navy, and then the glass gradually migrated to land, and even began its mass production.

There is information that in the last years of Peter's rule almost 13 thousand of these glasses were produced.

Smolin's glass differed from the usual for Soviet citizens - its capacity was 300 grams, and the thick walls had a greenish tint. But the presence of facets allows us to consider him the ancestor of the legendary Granchak.

Second birth"

As the history of the faceted glass of the USSR says, its revival began during the Second World War. Moreover, no less secrets and legends are associated with his second "birth" than with his first appearance in Russia.

There are two main candidates for the "parents" of the Soviet faceted glass. One of them is Vera Mukhina, the one who gave the country "Worker and Collective Farm Woman". According to some sources, in the 40s, the sculptor was carried away by glass, and the result of this passion was a faceted glass. It was also said that the author of "Black Square" K. Malevich himself helped to start the story of the faceted glass Mukhina.

Mukhina's authorship was confirmed by some of her colleagues and relatives. However, a number of researchers argue that Mukhina only finalized the design of the dishes known long before that. This version is supported by the fact that glasses with edges were used in pre-war times.

The second candidate for the role of the creator of the legend is Nikolai Slavyanov, a Ural engineer, creator of arc welding, in whose archives they found sketches of faceted dishes.

This version is confirmed by Slavyanov's personal notes and diaries, which depict sketches of glasses with a different number of faces. True, in his idea the glass was to be made of metal.

However, the history of the creation of a faceted glass suggests that Mukhina and Slavyanov knew each other, so it could well be their joint creative project.

Not so popular, but still known is the version about the "overseas" origin of the granchak. Its supporters motivate by the fact that the pressing method, by means of which the famous glasses were made, was invented in the USA in the 20s of the 19th century.

According to the requirements of scientific and technological progress

Speaking about the reasons that prompted the creation of a faceted glass, the researchers agree that this shape was not chosen by chance - it fully corresponded to the development of innovative technologies of that time.

The fact is that even in the pre-war period, the first automatic dishwashing machines appeared in the Soviet Union. True, they did not go into mass production and were used exclusively for production needs, for example, in catering establishments.

These same machines had one design feature - they could only wash dishes of a certain shape. For example, faceted glasses. Other dishes, due to insufficient strength, often broke during washing.

That is why it became necessary to equip all catering points with precisely cut utensils.

It is more convenient to pour for three

For many, a faceted glass is associated with alcohol, as it was a favorite container for those who like to drink after work or "have a glass" on weekends.

In addition, the majority of historians and researchers are even sure that the expression “to figure it out for three” is also directly related to Granchak.

The fact is that in the framework of the fight against drunkenness N. Khrushchev at one time forbade the sale of strong drinks for bottling. Almost simultaneously with this, small bottles of 125 and 200 ml disappeared from the counter. Drinking half a liter alone, and even together, it turned out to be uncomfortable. But this volume was divided into three very well.

Well, faceted glasses were the best fit for equally dividing the content of half a liter - they were filled, without adding a little to the rim, and everyone was satisfied, having received their portion.

By the way, faceted glasses were used exclusively for drinking vodka - it was not customary to pour other alcoholic beverages into them.

Headband - for convenience

The first Soviet glasses with a faceted surface were produced without a rim. However, drinking from such dishes turned out to be not very convenient - the glasses had to be pressed too tightly to the lips.

It was then that the border was invented. As soon as the innovation spread, the new glass was dubbed "lipstick" - to distinguish it from the old model.

By the way, later the people began to call the Granchak instead of the "Lipped" "Malenkovsky". This happened after the promise of G. Malenkov, who was then the Minister of Defense, to include 200 g of vodka (a glass filled to the rim) in the ration of some categories of servicemen.

Faceted glass: history, how many faces

The very first faceted glass of Soviet times was produced at the oldest glass factory in the country, Gus-Khrustalny. Subsequently, the production of such tableware began at many other glass factories of the Union. But wherever it was produced, it was manufactured to exacting standards and had the same dimensional characteristics. What dimensions did the faceted glass have and how many faces? The history contains the following data:

• base diameter - 5.5 cm;
• upper part diameter - 7.2 - 7.3 cm;
• glass height - 10.5 cm;
• rim width - 1.4 - 2.1 cm.

Moreover, according to the history of the faceted glass, 16 faces and 20 were the most common options. But there were also products with 10, 12 or 14 edges. This fact is also confirmed by the history of faceted glasses. There could even be 15 and 17 facets. Several batches of such glasses were produced. However, as it was determined empirically, the manufacture of glass containers with an even number of edges is much easier technologically, and therefore more rational.

The "secret" of strength

One of the main features of the Soviet faceted glass, in addition to its convenient shape, was its increased strength. Falling, they did not break, they could withstand liquid of any temperature. They could even be used as a nutcracker!

The “secret” of such strength was the thickened walls of the granchak and the special technologies for its production.

Glass for the legendary products was brewed at a high temperature - from 1400 to 1600 o C, after which it was fired and cut twice.

At one time, lead was even added to the melt, usually used in the manufacture of crystal glassware.

Advantages

Compared with other cylindrical glasses, faceted products had a number of advantages arising from their characteristics. The main advantages of a model with faceted sides most often include:

• Durability (the glass remained intact even when dropped from a meter height onto the concrete surface, which made it possible to use it at home, in the dining room, and on the street).
• Convenience (it was convenient to hold it in your hand, it did not slip even out of wet hands. In addition, the edges did not allow it to roll off the table).
• Multifunctionality (the glass was used not only as a container for liquid, but also as a measure of bulk products, a convenient container for separating alcohol, etc.).
• Ubiquity and accessibility (they were used everywhere - at home and in catering establishments, in street soda machines and other public places).

Interestingly, those who like to use the Granchak for the "correct" filling of a half-liter bottle were confident that such a container significantly reduced the risk of hangover.

Curious facts

Today, few people will remember this, but the classic faceted glasses at one time differed from each other in price. Moreover, the latter depended on the number of faces. So, a 10-sided dish cost 3 kopecks, a 16-sided one - 7 kopecks, and a 20-sided glass - 14 kopecks.

At the same time, the volume of the glass did not depend at all on the number of faces. It has always remained the same - 200 g to the rim and 250 g to the brim.

The most common and popular was the 16-sided glass.

Production of faceted glasses

As the history of faceted glass in Russia says, at the time of the peak popularity of such glassware, glass factories in the Soviet Union began to produce not only 250-gram products, but also 50 and 300 ml volumes, with different numbers of faces.

In the era of perestroika, the old equipment of glass factories began to be replaced with new, often imported ones. Contrary to expectations, such modernization had a negative impact on the quality of faceted glasses - they began to "disperse at the seams", many fell off the bottom when filled with hot liquid, while others simply exploded.

Due to violations in the process of technology, the legendary glass lost its strength and, as a result, its popularity began to decline. Moreover, soon new beautiful and varied tableware began to appear on store shelves.

Today it is not so easy to find a faceted glass, but at some enterprises a legend and one of the symbols of the Soviet era are still being produced. However, for the most part - on order.

Perhaps not a single piece of tableware was as functional as a faceted glass. And sometimes completely unexpected applications were found for him. So:

• Many housewives used it to cut out blanks for dumplings and dumplings from dough.
• He was a versatile measuring instrument. In many recipes, the amount of food was even indicated in the glasses.
• During the winter, it was used as a dehumidifier and squeezed between double window frames. Salt was poured into it, which prevented the glass from freezing.
• Summer residents grew seedlings in them for the garden. Unlike containers made from other materials, they could be reused.
• And the children loved to set up experiments in which the most important attribute was a glass with edges. For example, it was very convenient to use it to demonstrate optical phenomena.

It is noteworthy that in houses where faceted glasses have survived, they are still used not only for pouring liquids, but also in many other household matters.

Celebration of the faceted glass

The people's love for a faceted glass is reflected in the fact that this piece of tableware has its own birthday. It was September 11, 1943 - the day when the first copy of the future legend rolled off the assembly line of the glass factory in Gus-Khrustalny.

The first specimen had 16 faces, was 9 cm high and 6.5 cm in diameter.

Of course, the date is not included in the list of official public holidays, but the main thing is people's memory!

They say that Vera Ignatievna "invented" it together with the artist Kazimir Malevich, the author of the famous "Black Square". According to another version, her husband, who loved to skip a glass or two after work, prompted her a unique shape. Both are quite possible.

Mukhina's authorship is not documented, but this is what her colleagues are talking about. Their arguments are based on the fact that Mukhina, during the break between the creation of monumental sculptures, paid a lot of attention to glass, collaborated with glass factories, and besides it is known for sure that she is the author of a beer mug ... The sculptor's relatives insist on the same.

However, no less convincing is the version that the Soviet mining engineer, later professor of geology Nikolai Slavyanov became the developer of the faceted glass. , who discovered arc welding and proposed methods of electrical sealing of castings. Thanks to this man, metallurgy in the Soviet Union has reached unprecedented heights. And in his leisure hours, he painted a faceted glass with 10, 20 and 30 sides, although he suggested making it out of metal. The sketches of the glasses are preserved in his diaries. Probably, Vera Mukhina, who knew the scientist, could have seen them, and then she suggested making a "drinking bowl" out of glass. The first Soviet granchak rolled off the assembly line of the oldest glass factory in Russia in the town of Gus-Khrustalny, Vladimir Region, in 1943. Why were new glasses needed at the height of the war? The Scientific Research Institute of Glass, which is located next to the aforementioned plant, explained that the enterprise did not stop at that time and produced "high-quality" dishes designed for the mass consumer. According to Doctor of Technical Sciences, Deputy Director for Science of the Research Institute of Glass in Gus-Khrustalny, Yuri Guloyan, attempts have been made since ancient times to make a glass vessel for drinking funny drinks that would not break if dropped to the ground.

Release of ribbed glasses instead of round ones, it was prepared even before the war, when our engineers invented a dishwasher that could replace human hands only when washing appliances of certain shapes and dimensions. So, the Granchaks were ideally suited for the miracle technique. And as soon as the faceted press was mounted, it was immediately put into operation. The multifaceted vessel fit into the proletarian hand and turned out to be strong enough due to the "decent" thickness and some peculiarities of glass preparation. Raw materials were cooked at a temperature of 1400-1600 degrees, twice fired and cut using a special technology. Rumor has it that even lead was added to the mixture for strength, which is used in compositions for crystal.

According to the legend, the first faceted glass made of dense glass was presented to Peter the Great by Vladimir glassmaker Efim Smolin, who assured the tsar that he did not beat. The Emperor, having drunk the intoxicating drink, without delay, threw the bowl on the ground with the words "There will be a glass!" It crashed into small pieces. However, the royal anger did not follow, but popular rumor later interpreted his call differently - "Beat glasses". Allegedly, since then, a tradition has taken place to pound glassware during the feast.

In the 17th century, a glass was called dostakan, since it was made from boards ground to each other. It is since then that the side on top of modern faceted glasses has been preserved - in the past, a ring connecting wooden segments. According to other versions, the word glass is borrowed from the Turkic "tustygan" - a bowl or "dastarkhan" - a festive table.

It turns out that you can talk endlessly about a glass, but it is better to go to Nekrasovka and see everything with your own eyes. Absolutely free.

This is not a one-off project - this year is also the anniversary of the purse, come and note, - Galina Pavlovna half-jokingly, half-seriously invites.

Pour !!! *** DRINKING TRADITIONS *** An entertaining story

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What's happened "Penalty shot"? In the 4-5 c. BC. the ancient Greek feast becomes a kind of cult. The amount of food and drinks was not regulated, but there were rules of etiquette prohibiting being late for a joint feast. The statutes have reached us, where it is said that who is late for such an important event must pay a fine.

"100 frontline". During the Great Patriotic War, they were allocated to the soldiers by Voroshilov himself. Back in 1940, when Soviet troops got bogged down in the snow near Finland in a 40-degree frost, Voroshilov ordered to issue 100 grams each to raise morale, as well as as a warming agent. The official order on the extradition of the "People's Commissars" was issued on August 22, 1941 by the State Defense Committee of the USSR.

Toast to health. Even under Ivan the Terrible, it was customary to call various medicinal tinctures and potions vodka. They took such strong alcohol exclusively for medicinal purposes. Now it is clear why "for health".

For three persons. In Soviet times, it was customary for the husband to give out a ruble for lunch. And the vodka cost two eighty seven. If you want a drink, look for a third (hence the famous "will you be third?"). And even the surrender for the "Druzhba" cheese will still remain.

Faceted glass. In the 17th century, such glasses were made from boards hammered together, hence the edges ... The first faceted glass glass was made in 1943 according to the sketches of Vera Mukhina. According to another version, the design of the famous glass belongs to Kazimir Malevich. Such a glass was distinguished by its increased strength - when dropped from a meter height onto a hard surface, the faceted glass remained intact.

There are 20 bottles of vodka in a box. In the pre-Petrine era, a bucket was considered the main measure of vodka. At the time of Peter I, a bottle appeared in Russia, it was borrowed from France. Since the standard bottle had a volume of 0.6 liters, exactly 20 bottles fit in the bucket. Based on these measures, trade documentation was maintained ...

An empty bottle must not be placed on the table. The following legend says about this: this custom was brought by the Cossacks who returned from France after the military campaign of 1812-14. In those days, Parisian waiters did not count the number of bottles dispensed. It is much easier to issue an invoice - to count the empty bottles left after the meal on the table. Some of the Cossacks realized that they could save money by removing part of the empty container under the table.

Road to track. Wanderers and travelers have long enjoyed special respect in Russia. Tramps were not liked, but strangers were welcomed. For the pilgrims walked around the world not out of idleness, but out of a spiritual need - they went to pilgrimages (pilgrims), to holy places, on related and commercial matters. There were special prayers before the start of the journey and after its successful completion, there were also customs that were firmly observed.

Wanderers walked from village to village, from one cherished place to the next, relying on staffs. The staff was both a support in long passages, and a protection from the beast, from the dashing oncoming. In a word, it was a companion friend for many occasions.

Wanderers and travelers before a long road, no one knows what promising them, threw a knapsack on their backs, took a staff in their hands and stopped for a minute at the gate of their native or their home. Then a glass was brought to the road. Usually the eldest in the family poured it. The first - to the one who was waiting for a long journey. At the same time, the incantations were different, but always with wishes of good luck: "So that the road spreads like a white tablecloth", "So that the hardships bypassed by the side", "So that the evil spirits do not go astray" ... and others with the same meaning.

Sometimes a glass or a ladle was literally put on the staff, on its upper thickened cut. And they watched carefully: if the glass did not overturn, it was a good sign. Going on the road had to drink a glass to the bottom, leaving a few drops that should be splashed over his shoulder - "wet the path." After that, the glass was again put on the staff, but with its bottom upside down, like, the job is done.

Stirrup. This is a very old custom, also associated with the beginning of a difficult business - travel, hunting, military campaign. So it seems: our ancestor-warrior easily jumps into the saddle, straightens his helmet, chain mail, sword. The stirrup is supported by the stirrup. And it is at this last minute of parting that a stirrup cup (bowl, goblet) is presented to him. The beloved wife brings a glass on a tray. And after the cup (goblet) is drunk, the warrior gives it to the stirrup.

Burnt, Drain Burnt Glass- Cossack, steppe custom. In the old days, the Cossack villages were set up so that next to them - on the main roads - there were always ancient burial mounds. They housed guard posts, towers, signal fires, which were lit in case of danger.

Behind the mounds began a restless steppe, sometimes wild and uninhabited, full of dangers. And it was customary to see off the distinguished guests and relatives precisely “behind the mounds”. And then how fate will manage with them ...

This duty - to see off "behind the mounds" - belonged to the young, strong, and daring. And it turned out something like an honorary Cossack escort, when young Cossacks competed in daring, demonstrated dexterity, horses and weapons. The more numerous the escort was, the more honor and respect there was for those who were leaving.

Finally, we stopped where, in such cases, their great-grandfathers made stops. Sometimes the "burnt bowl" (damask, goblet) was launched in a circle, sometimes it was poured into mugs for marching - to everyone and by all means, both those who were leaving and those who were seeing them off. They were not allowed to drink - it was a personal matter.

As a rule, they drank the "burnt out" without a snack, because they had just got up from the tables, and all thoughts were already about the road. They drank to wishes of good luck, they were sure to be silent for a short time, so as not to accidentally frighten her off, and then they watched for a long time how the horsemen were carried away along the endless steppe road ...