Standing before the Galerie Deset – Waldesovo muzeum, you might not immediately recognize its significance. This unassuming building on Moskevská Street, however, holds a fascinating history, one that intertwines with the legacy of Prague. The building you see today once housed the Waldesovo muzeum, a testament to the ingenuity of Jindřich Waldes, an inventor who revolutionized fashion with the invention of the patent button, later known as Koh-i-noor. Waldes’s passion for collecting wasn’t limited to buttons, his museum showcased a wide array of trinkets and fastenings from around the world, reflecting the diverse tastes and trends of the era.
Waldes, a visionary entrepreneur from the Czech Republic, established the museum in 1916. Initially located within his factory, the museum became a celebrated showcase of his remarkable collection, attracting notable figures and establishing it as a significant cultural hub in Prague. In 1918, the museum was relocated to the building you see today, undergoing a thorough renovation. The museum’s collection was later confiscated in 1939, but its legacy didn’t end there.
Following the end of the Second World War, the collection was transferred to the Collections of the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague and then later the Museum of Glass and Beads in Jablonec nad Nisou, where it is currently on display. Despite the collection’s movement, the building’s significance remained. In 2003, the Galerie DESET was established, ensuring the building continued to serve as a platform for artistic expression and cultural events.
Today, Galerie DESET – Waldesovo muzeum stands as a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of its namesake and Prague’s rich cultural heritage. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving the past and highlighting its impact on the present. The building’s transformation from a museum once bustling with collections to a contemporary gallery offers a dynamic perspective on how the past can inspire the present and shape the future.