Inge-Glas® - The "Original" Glassblowing Family of Germany

400 Years of Glassblowing Dedication and Tradition...

The history of the Müller-Blech family is well documented within the history of the glassblowing industry.  During the 1500s in Germany, the Müller family worked diligently to produce mouth-blown glassware of the highest quality.

Glassblowing was a cottage industry with each family having their own specialty, such as ornaments of churches or pinecones.  The Müller family was renown for their bird ornaments.  Today Inge-Glas® has more styles of birds than any other company and remains highly regarded for their artistry in the creation of bird ornaments.  Over 700 bird moulds are included in their collection of antique moulds.

Glassblown ornaments were crafted by the Müller-Blech family in their workshop in Lauscha, Germany until 1951.  Russian occupation of Lauscha led 13th generation descendent Heinz Müller-Blech to flee to Neustadt, where he reestablished what is now the modern day Inge-Glas workshop, named after Heinz's late wife, Inge.

At the age of 14, Heinz crossed the border to seek out a new life in West Germany, managing to smuggle his glassblowing tools and several moulds with him.  After settling in Neustadt, Heinz searched for antique ornament moulds.  Later, his family in East Germany sent packages addressed as gifts and toys to his son, Klaus.  These packages contained only halves of moulds at a time so authorities would not confiscate them.

Each year, the Müller-Blech family workshop in Germany offers limited editions of handcrafted ornaments.  Each of the mouth-blown, hand-painted ornaments is inspired and designed by Birgit Müller-Blech.  Ornaments retire each year as new ones are introduced.  Each ornament is a collector's treasure and an heirloom to be passed down from generation to generation.