Mid-century condiment set by Krasna Jizba, Czechoslovakia 1950s

This rare condiment set was designed in the 1950’s. The set consists of four individual casters all at different heights within a rectangular base. the base has raised edges, holding each caster firmly inside. They were designed to be used for salt, pepper, spices and a toothpick holder. The wonderfully sculptured casters have a small wooden pin which holds the top of each caster in place. Every piece in this set are made from solid cherrywood. The designer of this piece is unknown to us but it was produced by Krasna Jizba in former Czechoslovakia. Krasna Jizba was founded in 1927 on the initiative of the Union of Czechoslovak Art and Craft with their main goal to promote and sell art, furniture, graphics and homeware. Some of the best Czech artists, architects and designers worked for Krásná jizba and it quickly established itself as the progressive promoter of applied art and design in Czechoslovakia. During the 1930’s the production of Krasna Jizba was hugely influenced by Avant-garde Bauhaus aesthetics and it remained under this influence until the outbreak of the Second World War. In 1948 Krasna Jizba became part of ULUV, company with the same main goal of following the supporting the art and craft although this time with the focus on more traditional Czech folk aesthetic. Throughout the second part of the 20th century, ULUV produced great products by many different leading artists and designers in various homeware and design categories. In Communist Czechoslovakia, Krasna Jizba was unique in it’s concept of offering high quality designed products, a very different proposition to the standard production of the Socialist economy at the time.