Painting on glass are among the jewels of Slovak folk art. The tradition dates back to the beginning of the 19th century and was initially concentrated mostly in central and eastern Slovakia, only later - and in diluted strength - spreading to western Slovakia. It flourished particularly in the vicinity of glassworks, although itinerant peddlers ensured that items often travelled dozens of miles from their place of origin to be sold at fairs and places of pilgrimage. They were a unique form of illustration of biblical events and characters and were a source of solace in times of hardship. Proof of their popularity in times gone by is the very quantity of examples preserved to this day in our museums.