The people called him “Granchak”. He's "big-lipped". He is also “Malinkovsky”. He is “Mukhinsky”. But actually, this is a Soviet glass - multifaceted, like the truth.
It turns out that we owe the expression “as simple as three kopecks” to a cut glass. The number of sides of this honorary inhabitant of railway buffets was different: 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. At one time they even produced glasses with 17 sides, but it was more difficult to make dishes with an odd number of sides, so they settled on the optimal 16. The price of the product depended directly on the number of faces. The simplest, 10-grain, cost 3 kopecks, the 16-grain cost seven, the “luxury” 20-grain cost as much as 14.
Although the cut glass is a classic symbol of the Soviet era, it can be seen in Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin’s “Morning Still Life” from 1918.
Kuzma Sergeevich Petrov-Vodkin. Morning still life
According to many researchers, faceted glass appeared back in the time of Peter I, and was produced by the glass factory in the city of Gus-Khrustalny. Then the glass was called “granchak” and was a newfangled alternative to Russian wooden mugs. The edges made it durable and prevented it from rolling around on the table. When the new product was presented to the king, he did not believe in the reliability of the glass and heartily slammed it on the floor. The glass broke. But the reformer appreciated the idea and allegedly said: “There will be a glass.” But the boyars didn’t hear enough: “Shatter glasses.” Since then, the tradition of breaking dishes for good luck allegedly began.
Peter I in an English engraving from 1858
Despite their dislike for everything bourgeois, Soviet engineers appreciated the glass, if only “upgrading it.” Its strength was given by the shape and thickness of the glass. The latter was produced at extremely high temperatures - 1400–1600 °C. And besides, they burned him twice. Well, at first they even added lead to glass.
By the way, about the exterior. It is believed that the unique form was invented by the Soviet sculptor Vera Mukhina, the author of the famous memorial “Worker and Collective Farm Woman” (hence one of the popular names for the glass is “Mukhinsky”). 
In the 1980s, when the technology for making faceted stones was disrupted (production simply switched to foreign standards), gossip spread about the machinations of enemies who encroached on the shrine. Glasses began not only to break, but to burst and even explode.
A faceted glass was not just a piece of utensils - it was a “mandala” of the era, from which many well-known aphorisms came. Here is at least the expression “to think for three.” The fact is that a standard faceted glass (counting from the rim) held exactly 200 g. A half-liter of vodka did not fit into two glasses, but it would fit neatly into three. Therefore, it was more convenient for the three of us to drink.
The habit of “thinking for three” has entered the world 
The Moskovskaya vodka brand appeared back in 1894 
By the way, about the rim. The first faceted glasses did not have it, so it was very inconvenient to drink from them: to prevent the contents from spilling, the glass had to be pressed tightly to the lips. When the rim around the edge did appear, the original model of the glass was called “lipped” to distinguish it from the second. But the “Malenkov glass” became a glass in those days when the Soviet Minister of Defense Georgy Malenkov promised certain categories of military personnel a ration of 200 g of vodka for lunch (for non-drinkers, the norm was replaced by a similar amount of tobacco or sugar). The decree ordered a long life, but people's memory is immortal.
In Soviet times, vending machines selling sparkling water could often be found on the street or in public places. In Moscow alone there were 10,000 of them 
Not long ago, the most famous attribute of the Soviet era, Comrade Faceted Glass, celebrated its next anniversary. His birthday is considered to be September 11, 1943, and it was produced at the oldest glass factory in the city of Gus-Khrustalny, and became an integral part of domestic catering.
Few people know that a cut glass is recognized by experts as an unofficial cultural attribute of the USSR, as a symbol of something social, public, and unifying. It’s really hard to argue with this, because common glasses could be found in soda fountains, in canteens with compote and kefir, with tea and jelly in kindergartens and schools. Here are some facts about him.
1. The design of the Soviet cut glass is attributed to the sculptor Vera Mukhina, who is the author of the monumental composition “Worker and Kolkhoz Woman”. However, this is not quite true. She only improved its form. The first batch of glasses based on her drawings was produced in 1943.
2. The appearance of the Soviet glass was due to scientific and technological progress. The faceted glass received this shape because it was ideal for dishwashers, which were invented shortly before: only dishes of a certain size could be washed in them. So its appearance is not an artist’s imagination, but a production necessity. The glass is durable, thick and minimalist.
3. By the way, the price of a glass was different, and it depended on the number of sides: glasses with 10, 12, 14, 16 and even 20 sides were produced. In the end, we settled on the most convenient option - with 16 edges. So, 10 facets (the very first glasses) cost 3 kopecks, 16 - 7 kopecks, and 20 facets 14 kopecks, respectively. Nevertheless, the capacity of the glass always remained the same: 200 ml to the rim, 250 to the brim.
4. The faceted glass had a common name - “Malenkovsky”. It is connected with the Minister of Defense Malenkov and his order, according to which some categories of the military were entitled to 200 grams of vodka for lunch. And those who did not drink vodka could get tobacco or sugar instead - in the volume of a glass. The order did not exist for long, but was remembered very well.
5. The classic expression “think for three” is also associated with a cut glass. The fact is that a half-liter bottle of vodka is ideally divided into three glasses: if you pour it to the glass rim, you get exactly 167 grams. This made it possible to share alcohol according to conscience.
6. In fact, the faceted glass has been known much earlier - since the time of Peter the Great. It was presented to Peter as a gift as an unbreakable container for drinking alcoholic beverages. The king appreciated the gift: during the sea motion, the glass stood firmly on the table and indeed remained intact during the fall. The first glasses were produced at the same glass factory in Gus-Khrustalny.
7. The faceted glass is also recorded in fine art: in 1918, the famous Russian artist Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin painted “Morning Still Life”, which shows the ancestor of the usual Soviet glass.
September 11th is the day of the cut glass. No, this is not a joke on drinkers, but a good reason 🙂 September 11, 1943 is considered the birthday of this glassware. As history shows, it was on this day that the first Soviet cut glass was produced at the glass factory in Gus-Khrustalny.
(Total 7 photos)
1. The design of the Soviet-style cut glass is attributed to Vera Mukhina, the author of the monumental composition “Worker and Collective Farm Woman.” However, there is no documentary evidence of this. According to some reports, Vera Ignatievna developed the shape of the glass specifically for Soviet catering.
2. The “Mukhinsky” glass, thanks to the smooth ring that runs along the circumference and distinguishes it from a faceted glass of a traditional shape, is not only very durable, but also convenient for washing in dishwashers. Thanks to this, the Soviet glass was used for many years in canteens and on railway transport.
3. It was also actively used in street vending machines selling carbonated drinks.
4. The dimensions of a standard faceted glass are 65 millimeters in diameter and 90 millimeters in height. The very first glass had 16 sides, which is considered today a classic of the genre. There are specimens with 12, 14, 18, 20 edges, as well as 17 edges (but they are not so typical, since it is easier to produce glasses with an even number of edges). At the bottom of the glass, as a rule, the price was squeezed out - 7 or 14 kopecks (that’s how much “20-sided ones” cost).
5. As for the ordinary cut glass glass (without the upper smooth rim), it was known much earlier - back in the time of Peter the Great. It is attested that the faceted glass was given to the emperor as an unbreakable vessel for drinking alcoholic beverages. The tsar, who, as you know, was fond of shipbuilding, appreciated the gift, saying that such a glass would not fall to the floor while the ship was rocking, and if it did fall, it would not break.
6. At a later time, a 12-sided glass of tea was depicted in the painting “Morning Still Life” (1918) by the famous Russian artist Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin. This dishware became the progenitor of the Soviet cut glass.
7. The expression “think for three” is directly related to the Soviet cut glass. The fact is that up to the glass rim, a 200-gram glass holds exactly 167 grams of vodka - a third of a half-liter bottle, which allows you to divide its contents “according to your conscience.”
A faceted glass is considered one of the symbols of the Soviet era that has passed into history. The era has ended, but glasses are still kept 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 a legend
Despite its wide popularity, the true history of the origin of the cut glass is shrouded in darkness. There are several versions of its appearance. One of the most common, for example, says that faceted glasses appeared in Rus' during the time of Peter I.
As one of the stories of the origin of the cut glass says, the first one was presented to the emperor by a glassmaker from Vladimir, Efim Smolin. Thus, the master offered Peter a solution to the problem that was encountered everywhere in the navy.
The essence of the problem was that during the rocking, ordinary glasses slipped off the tables and broke in huge quantities, which caused losses not only to the naval commanders, but also to the treasury.
Efim demonstrated a glass, which, due to the peculiarities of its structure, was not in a “hurry” to roll off the table, and having rolled down, it 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 statements of its creator, still broke, the monarch approved the innovation and ordered such utensils to be put into use.
At first, the new product was used exclusively in the navy, and then the glass gradually migrated to land, and its mass production even began.
There is information that in the last years of Peter's reign, almost 13 thousand of these glasses were produced.
Smolin's glass was different from what was usual for Soviet citizens - its capacity was 300 grams, and its thick walls had a greenish tint. But the presence of edges allows us to consider it the ancestor of the legendary granchak.
Second birth"
As the history of the USSR cut glass says, its revival began during the Second World War. Moreover, no fewer secrets and legends are associated with his second “birth” than with his first appearance in Rus'.
There are two main candidates for the “parents” of the Soviet cut glass. One of them is Vera Mukhina, the one who gave the country “The Worker and the Collective Farm Woman.” According to some sources, in the 40s the sculptor became interested in glass, and the result of her passion was a faceted glass. It was also rumored that the author of “Black Square” K. Malevich himself helped start the story of Mukhina’s faceted glass.
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 that had been known long before. This version is supported by the fact that glasses with edges were used even in pre-war times.
The second candidate for the role of the creator of the legend is Nikolai Slavyanov, a Ural engineer, the creator of arc welding, in whose archives sketches of cut glassware were found.
This version is confirmed by Slavyanov’s personal notes and diaries, which depict sketches of glasses with different numbers of sides. True, in his idea the glass was supposed to be made of metal.
However, the history of the creation of the faceted glass suggests that Mukhina and Slavyanov knew each other, so it could well have been their joint creative project.
Not so popular, but still known is the version about the “overseas” origin of the granchak. Its supporters argue that the pressing method by which the famous glasses were made was invented in the USA back 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, researchers agree that this shape was not chosen by chance - it was fully consistent with the development of innovative technologies of that time.
The fact is that even before the war, 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. Due to insufficient strength, other dishes often broke during washing.
That is why the need arose to equip all public catering points with cut glassware.
Easier to pour for three
Many people associate a cut glass with alcohol, as it was a favorite container for those who like to drink after work or “have a glass” on the weekend.
In addition, most historians and researchers are even sure that the expression “think for three” is also directly related to granchak.
The fact is that, as part of the fight against drunkenness, N. Khrushchev at one time banned the sale of strong drinks by the glass. Almost simultaneously, small bottles of 125 and 200 ml disappeared from the counter. Drinking half a liter alone, and even together, turned out to be uncomfortable. But this volume was divided very well between three people.
Well, faceted glasses were perfectly suited for equally dividing the contents of half a liter - they were filled without adding a little to the rim, and everyone was happy after receiving their portion.
By the way, faceted glasses were used exclusively for drinking vodka - it was not customary to pour other alcoholic drinks 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.
That's when the border was invented. As soon as the innovation became widespread, the new glass was dubbed “lipped” to distinguish it from the old model.
By the way, later people began to call granchak “Malenkovsky” instead of “lipped”. This happened after the promise of G. Malenkov, who was the Minister of Defense at that time, to include 200 g of vodka (a glass filled to the rim) in the rations of some categories of military personnel.
Faceted glass: history, how many faces
The very first cut glass of Soviet times was produced at the Gus-Khrustalny glass factory, the oldest in the country. Subsequently, the production of such dishes began at many other glass factories of the Union. But no matter where it was made, it was made to strict standards and had the same dimensional characteristics. What dimensions and how many sides did the faceted glass have? The history contains the following data:
- base diameter - 5.5 cm;
- diameter of the upper part - 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 sides 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 cut glasses. There could even be 15 or 17 sides. Several batches of such glasses were produced. However, as it was determined experimentally, the production of glass containers with an even number of edges is much simpler 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. When falling, they did not break and could withstand liquids of any temperature. They could even be used as nut crackers!
The “secret” of such strength was the thickened walls of the granchak and special technologies for its production.
The glass for the legendary products was boiled at high temperatures - from 1400 to 1600 o C, after which they were fired and cut twice.
At one time, lead, usually used in the manufacture of crystal glassware, was even added to the melt.
Advantages
Compared to other cylindrical glasses, faceted products had a number of advantages arising from their features. 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 a concrete surface, which made it possible to use it at home, in the dining room, and on the street).
- Convenience (it was comfortable to hold in your hand, it did not slip even from wet hands. In addition, the edges prevented it from rolling 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 general availability (they were used everywhere - at home and in catering establishments, in street soda fountains and other public places).
Interestingly, those who like to use granchak to “correctly” bottle a half-liter bottle were confident that such containers significantly reduce the risk of a hangover.
Curious facts
Today, few people remember this, but classic faceted glasses at one time differed from each other in price. Moreover, the latter depended on the number of faces. Thus, a 10-sided glass cost 3 kopecks, a 16-sided glass cost 7 kopecks, and a 20-sided glass cost 14 kopecks.
Moreover, the volume of the glass did not depend at all on the number of faces. It always remained the same - 200 g to the rim and 250 to the edges.
The most common and popular was a glass with 16 sides.
Production of cut glasses
As the history of faceted glass in Russia says, during 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 a different number of edges.
During the era of perestroika, old equipment from glass factories began to be replaced with new, often imported. Contrary to expectations, such modernization had a negative impact on the quality of faceted glasses - they began to “come apart at the seams”, the bottom of many fell off when filled with hot liquid, and others simply exploded.
Due to violations in the technological process, the legendary glass lost its strength and, as a result, its popularity began to decline. Moreover, soon new beautiful and varied dishes began to appear on store shelves.
Today, finding a cut glass is not so easy, but some enterprises still produce the legend and one of the symbols of the Soviet era. True, most of them are made to order.
Perhaps no element of tableware was as functional as a faceted glass. And sometimes they found completely unexpected uses for it. So:
- Many housewives used it to cut out dough pieces for dumplings and dumplings.
- It was a universal measuring instrument. In many recipes, the quantity of products was even indicated in glasses.
- In winter it was used as a dehumidifier and placed between double window frames. Salt was poured into it, which prevented the glass from freezing.
- Summer residents grew seedlings for their gardens in them. Unlike containers made from other materials, they could be reused many times.
- And the children loved to carry out experiments in which the most important attribute was a glass with edges. For example, it was very convenient to demonstrate optical phenomena.
It is noteworthy that in houses where cut glasses have been preserved, they are still used not only for pouring liquids, but also in many other household matters.
Festival of the Faceted Glass
People's love for a cut 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 sample had 16 sides, was 9 cm in height 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!
It is quite difficult to find at least one family in the vastness of the former Soviet Union that does not keep a couple, or even more, of cut glasses in their kitchen cabinets. This piece of utensils is one of the symbols of that distant era. Nowadays, most people no longer use them, but throw it away. History of who invented it, when - all this information is covered in secrets and legends. In this article we will try to understand all this.
Legends about the origin of the cut glass
Many objects and things of Soviet times have a lot of legends about their origin. This did not go unnoticed by everyone. The history of its creation is shrouded in many legends. Here are just a few of them that are circulating around his appearance.
- Everyone knows the name of monumentalist Vera Mukhina. This is the same master who designed the sculpture “Worker and Collective Farm Woman”. So, according to one of the legends, she was the person who invented the cut glass. There is an opinion that her beloved husband helped her in this, who liked to drink a glass or two of alcoholic drink on long evenings.
- Many are inclined to believe that the Soviet engineer Nikolai Slavyanov had a hand in the invention of the cut glass. He was a master of mining, then became a professor of geology. Among his friends and acquaintances, he is known for his discoveries in the field of arc welding and compaction of castings using electricity. It is to his merits that the high level of development of the metallurgical industry in Soviet times is attributed. Initially, Slavyanov proposed making a glass from metal, and the options contained sketches of products with 10, 20 and 30 sides. It was only later that Mukhina suggested producing such a glass in glass form.
- Another legend explains where the cut glass came from. The history of its creation is connected with the times of Peter the Great. One Vladimir glassmaker, Efim Smolin, presented the Tsar with such a glass as a gift, with assurances that it was almost impossible to break. Peter drank wine from it and threw it to the ground, uttering the words: “There will be a glass.” But, unfortunately, the glass broke. However, the ruler did not show his anger. Since then, a tradition has emerged of breaking dishes during the feast.
Where did the word "glass" come from?
Not only the history of the cut glass is quite vague and contradictory, but the very name of the object has several opinions about its origin.
From historical information it is known that in the 17th century there were dishes that were made from ground small boards connected by rings; they were called “dostakans”. Many believe that this word is where the name of faceted glasses comes from.
According to another version, the word is of Turkic origin; in this language, words such as “dastarkhan”, meaning a festive table, and “tustygan” - a bowl, were in use. From the combination of these two words the name of the glass arose, which they began to use.
The history of cut glass in Russia begins in 1943, when the first representative of the army of glasses rolled off the assembly line of the glass factory in Gus-Khrustalny. Many believe that this form is not just the artist’s imagination, but a necessity.
It turns out that even in those distant times, the first dishwashers appeared, which could perform their functions only when dishes of a certain shape and size were immersed in them. So we had to produce a glass with edges rather than round walls.
The emergence of a “foreigner” in Russia
According to historical information, in 1943, not the first representative of cut glasses rolled off the assembly line of the glass factory in Gus-Khrustalny, but an updated old one. The history of the faceted glass (16 sides) claims that it appeared a long time ago.
This piece of tableware was invented not in the USSR, but in Russia, in the 17th century. Proof of this are the exhibits stored in the Hermitage.
The antiquity of the origin of the glasses is confirmed by references in a special army doctrine, which was published by Paul I at the end of the 18th century. At that time, the monarch was trying to reform the army, which was far from full combat readiness, and ordered a faceted glass to limit the daily dose of wine that soldiers in the army were entitled to.
There is an opinion that the history of the cut glass is not connected with Russia at all. An excellent confirmation of this is the painting by Diego Velascas called “Breakfast”.
On the table you can also see a faceted glass, only the edges are not vertical, but slightly arched. If you look at the time the picture was painted, and this was in 1617-1618, then we can confidently say that the faceted glass and its history are not connected with Russia at all, but with foreign countries.
This fact is confirmed by the fact that the method of making glasses that was used in the USSR was invented only in 1820 - the pressing method. Production using this technology was launched already in the mid-19th century, and it came to Russia only in the 20th century.
What is the secret of the high strength of the glass?
Soviet faceted glasses not only had a comfortable shape and did not slip in the hand, but were also very durable. This was achieved by a decent wall thickness, as well as the use of special technologies.
The raw materials for making glass for faceted glasses were boiled at a high temperature in the range of 1400-1600 degrees, then the process of firing and cutting was carried out using special technologies. There was a period of time when lead, which is usually used in the production of crystal glassware, was added to the manufacturing mixture to increase strength.
Production of cut glasses
Glass factories began to produce glasses of different volumes and having different numbers of edges. The volume could vary from 50 ml to 250, and there were from 8 to 14 sides.
The classic history of a faceted glass is considered to be a product with a volume of 250 ml and having 10 sides. With its help, you can accurately measure the required amount of bulk and liquid products.
In the 80s, glass factories began to replace equipment with imported equipment, which led to the loss of the usual qualities of cut glass.
The glass, which until that time had been distinguished by its excellent strength, withstood temperature changes and falling from the table, began to crack on the sides. Some of them had their bottoms falling off. The culprit is considered to be a violation of manufacturing technology.
Characteristics of faceted glasses
Despite the fact that there is a lot of information about who invented the cut glass, the history and appearance in Russia are also contradictory, yet the characteristics remain the same. And they differ from those of other similar products.
- The diameter of the uppermost part is from 7.2 to 7.3 cm.
- The diameter of the bottom of the glass is 5.5 cm.
- The height of the glass product is 10.5 centimeters.
- The number of faces is most often 16 or 20.
- There is a lip along the top of the glass, the width of which is from 1.4 to 2.1 cm.
All glasses of the Soviet era, produced at various glass factories, had such characteristics.
The advantage of faceted glass over other similar products
In the vastness of the former Soviet Union, faceted glass is widespread due to its advantages over its counterparts.
- Does not roll off the table, for example, on a sea vessel during rolling and moving through the waves.
- Its popularity in establishments is explained by its high durability.
- Fans of drinking alcoholic beverages chose this item, as it made it easy to share a bottle between three people. If you pour the liquid up to the rim, then just a third of a half-liter bottle fits in one glass.
- The glass remains intact when dropped from a decent height. This strength is explained precisely by the presence of edges that give this property to fragile glass.
Modern life of a cut glass
If in Soviet times a cut glass was an indispensable attribute of every kitchen, now it is not so easy to find such a piece of utensils. Everything can be explained by the fact that most glass factories have discontinued production of these products.
At the plant in Gus-Khrustalny, where, as the history of the faceted glass says, the first faceted glass was produced, they produce other glasses that are completely transparent, which cannot be said about the faceted glass. Representatives of the Soviet era are produced only to order.
Now for some, a cut glass is a reason to entertain the public and become famous themselves. In 2005, during the celebration of City Day in Izhevsk, a tall tower almost 2.5 meters high was built from faceted glasses. This construction required 2024 glasses. The idea belonged to one distillery.
Regardless of the history of cut glass in Russia, it has always been used not only for its intended purpose. Housewives of the old school sometimes found the most unexpected uses for it.
- The most famous use is to use it to cut out blanks for dumplings and dumplings. If a larger diameter was required, then a large glass was taken, and if necessary, shot glasses were used. Despite the fact that there are now a lot of devices to facilitate this process, many housewives have not stopped using the old and reliable glass for this.
- In the Soviet kitchen, a faceted glass was a universal measuring device. In old culinary publications, products for cooking were measured not in grams, but in glasses.
- Quite unusual is the use of a faceted glass as a desiccant. He could often be seen standing between the double frames in winter. Salt was poured into the glass to prevent the windows from freezing. Nowadays, instead of wooden frames, our windows are increasingly decorated with plastic bags, so there is no place for a cut glass anymore.
- Summer residents have gotten used to using faceted glasses to grow seedlings. They look more aesthetically pleasing and do not leave behind debris, unlike peat cups.
- A glass can be used to demonstrate optical phenomena: if you pour water into it and place a teaspoon, it appears as if it is broken.
This is the use of glasses that was practiced in Soviet times, although some methods of use have been preserved even now, and no one wonders who invented the faceted glass. In modern kitchens, modern dishes flaunt on the shelves, which look more advantageous compared to a cut glass, but many housewives, if they have such a rarity in their pantries, are in no hurry to get rid of them.
Facts about the glass
There are some facts that are associated specifically with a faceted glass. Here are some of them:
- The cost of such dishes depended on the number of sides. A glass with 10 sides cost 3 kopecks, and with 16 sides - 7 kopecks. The volume did not depend on the number of faces; it always remained the same - 250 ml.
- The spread of drunkenness in Moldova is associated with a cut glass. Historical information makes it possible to find out that before the liberation of the country from the Nazis by Soviet soldiers, citizens drank from small 50 ml glasses, and the Russians brought with them capacious (250 ml) faceted glasses.
- The Soviet faceted glass was popularly called “Malenkovsky”. Defense Minister Malenkov issued an order according to which the serviceman was given 200 ml of vodka. Although this rule did not last long, it was remembered by many.
Here are just a few facts that are inextricably linked with a cut glass.
Festival of the Faceted Glass
We looked in detail and remembered about the faceted glass (the story, how many faces), but it turns out that this piece of tableware has its own holiday.
It is celebrated every year on September 11th. This date was chosen for a reason; it was on this day that the glass factory in Gus-Khrustalny began mass production of these utensils. This holiday date is not considered official; rather, it is a folk holiday, so not very pleasant traditions are associated with it.
A Russian person always doesn’t mind finding a reason to relax with a glass of alcoholic drink, but here, like a godsend, such a holiday, it’s simply a sin not to drink. Here's what you can expect from such a celebration.
- Only vodka should be drunk from cut glasses; other alcoholic drinks are in no way associated with this glassware.
- You should not drink alone, but always in company, because the expression “think for three” is associated with a cut glass.
- One of the traditions of this holiday is breaking the “hero” of the celebration on the floor.
- It would be nice to remember that tea, jelly, compote and water are excellent for drinking from cut glasses. Everyone remembers very well such glasses in cup holders in train cars.
We can say that we can put an equal sign between the concepts “cut glass” and “history of our country”. These two concepts are inextricably linked. I would really like to see a Nobel Prize given for such an invention, and not make it a permanent attribute of all feasts.