The Vase. Symbol of Culture and Life – Exhibition at the Museum of Decorative Arts

The exhibition "The Vase. Symbol of Culture and Life" at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague (historic building, 17. listopadu 2 street) runs from April 30 to September 6, 2026. Curated by Jana Černovská and Radim Vondráček, with architectural design by Hynek Fetterle and graphic design by Petr Liška. The exhibition presents the vase as one of the longest-enduring forms of human culture – both a functional and decorative object laden with rich symbolic meaning. It traces this phenomenon in applied and fine art from prehistoric times to the present, showing how across centuries it maintains its recognizability while transforming in response to social and artistic context. The exhibition is divided into six thematic sections: Archetypes, Nature, Figure, Ritual, Architecture, and Vases Non-Vases. It explores the vase as a cultural archetype, the role of nature as inspiration for form and decoration, the vase as an anthropomorphic vessel connected to the human figure, identity and memory, the ritual and ceremonial functions of vases from Neolithic urns to contemporary funerary objects, the vase's role in architecture, and various reinterpretations of this form. The displayed objects represent a cross-section of museum collections – from glass through ceramics and porcelain to metal, from anonymous works through products of renowned glassworks and porcelain manufacturers to artist creations and contemporary design. The exhibition also includes artworks, photographs (including images by František Drtikol), graphic pattern books, and works at the intersection of fine and applied art. An exhibition guide with extensive illustrations and an accompanying programme including curator-led tours have been prepared.