«Red Giant» in the Penza region

“Giant” was first called Bakhmetevsky, because it was founded by retired military man Alexei Ivanovich Bakhmetev by decree of Catherine II. The factory produced a huge number of crystal products: dishes, serving items, expensive items decorated with painting, enamel, paints, gold and silver, matte engraving and diamond cutting, for example, lamps or chandeliers.

The plant's products were highly valued in Europe. In 1900, at the Paris World Exhibition, they received a Grand Gold Medal, and the masters received personal bronze medals.

After the revolution, the Bakhmetevsky plant was first renamed “Crystal No. 1”, and then “Red Giant”. And here a new branch of the enterprise’s development begins: they mass produce faceted glasses, shot glasses, goblets, household utensils - everything for the people. No frills or luxury. But in the 30s, the plant began to collaborate with the sculptor Vera Mukhina, thanks to which they still produced products that were not like everyone else’s. During the war, the plant produced high-precision optical instruments for tanks, submarines and missiles.

In 2008, the plant “died”, and two years later it was sold for parts. One of the parts was acquired by a Moscow businessman, purchased equipment and continued the traditions of the Bakhmetevsky plant, but on a minimal scale. Other mini-glass workshops have also appeared.

The main workshops are abandoned, glass is lying everywhere, which is not destined to become a unique masterpiece.

Source: Nikolsky telegram channel “you have left the route.”