In Riyadh, inside one of Saudi Arabia’s most luxurious shopping malls, a ribbon of crystal stretches across the ceiling.
Measuring 228 meters, it is the world’s longest chandelier. Suspended on nearly invisible cables and sparkling with 44,000 crystal stones and more than 215,000 LED lights, the piece is a technological and artistic triumph showcasing Czech talent.
The chandelier was designed by Czech sculptor Jaroslav Prošek, who has built a reputation for blending centuries-old traditions with bold innovation. The work was realized in collaboration with Crystal Caviar, a company that has emerged as one of the most ambitious champions of Czech glass on the global stage.
Crystal Caviar was founded in 2010 by Marek Landa, who discovered his mission while working as an engineer on luxury yachts. He noticed that even the most extravagant vessels lacked something essential: a proper chandelier.
“I saw seven-star hotels by the sea where everything was perfect, from the furniture to the artwork to the overall finish, but there were only spotlights on the ceiling,” Landa recalls. “That’s when I realized that a crystal chandelier should be the ultimate symbol of luxury.”
Together with his wife, he established Crystal Caviar in northern Bohemia, a region long associated with masterful glasswork. The company’s early projects involved custom chandeliers for superyachts, designed not only for beauty but also to withstand the constant motion of the sea.
Over time, the company’s reputation grew, and demand spread beyond the oceans to palaces, museums, and private residences.Today, Crystal Caviar’s portfolio includes nearly 130 luxury yachts, 12 of which are among the 25 largest in the world, as well as commissions for Saudi and Qatari royals, Hollywood actor Johnny Depp, former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, and other international figures of wealth and influence.
The company’s success is built on its partnerships with extraordinary Czech artists. Chief among them is Jaroslav Prošek, whose art often bridges glass, rare woods, and ecological themes. He is known for working with subfossil oak preserved for over 6,500 years, and for developing innovative surface techniques such as titanium coating, which creates shimmering metallic effects.
Prošek’s vision is both artistic and environmental. He created the monumental Avenue of Tolerance in Abu Dhabi, seven subfossil oak trees more than 6,500 years old, symbolizing the coexistence of cultures and religions at the entrance to the largest Hindu temple in the Arab world. His project Plastic Oceans combined crystal with marine debris to spotlight pollution. Some of his sculptures are even installed in the Red Sea, where they are gradually being overgrown by corals and becoming part of an artificial reef.
Dubai Expo
Another leading name is Vlastimil Beránek, Prošek’s mentor, whom Landa calls “the Czech Leonardo da Vinci.” Beránek’s career spans sculpture, painting, photography, and architecture, with works often commanding prices in the millions. His glass forms have been displayed at EXPO Dubai, in Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern (drawing 1.5 million visitors in four months), and in exclusive collections around the world.
Istanbul’s Basilica Cistern
Czech brands such as Lasvit or Preciosa are well known internationally, yet Crystal Caviar follows a different path. Its focus is not only on design but on positioning Czech crystal as fine art.
“Crystal is the bronze of the 21st century,” Landa explains. “But once you label someone a ‘glass designer,’ it limits their recognition abroad. Artists must be seen as sculptors, conceptualists, creators.”
This philosophy has opened doors to prestigious collaborations. Prošek’s and Beránek’s sculptures have drawn interest from institutions such as the Louvre and the Guggenheim. Their works appear at international art fairs including Art Basel Miami, Venice Glass Week, and the Monaco Yacht Show, where the boundaries between luxury, design, and art intersect.
Though the Czech Republic is still regarded as a leader in the field of glass craftsmanship, Landa warns that competition from Italy and other countries is growing. Investment and promotion at home have been limited, putting a long-cherished national tradition at risk.
