A Short History of Bohemian Crystal
Glassmaking in the region dates all the way back to the 13th century, when glass was produced in northern Bohemia’s Lusatian Mountains and used in monastery windows. The proliferation of chalk and potash, which enabled the production of a more stable product than that of their Italian counterparts, allowed the industry to thrive, and by 1414 the world’s first glass factory was founded in Chřibská.
In the 17th century, Emperor Rudolf II’s gem cutter Caspar Lehmann invented the process of glass engraving, a startling discovery that sent Bohemian crystal soaring in popularity and excellence. By the time the 18th century rolled around, Bohemia had become the world’s leader in crystal production, with factories popping up all over Europe as well as in Cairo, Beirut, New York, and Mexico.
The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century allowed for the mass production of Czech crystal, and it wasn’t long after that it was being exported en masse to the entire world. Glassmaking schools were also established so that the time-honored craft could be handed down to coming generations.
Two world wars and the suffocating grip of Communism interfered with production in the 20th century, but artisans and manufacturers persevered, turning out beautiful hand-cut pieces that maintained the artistic integrity they’d inherited from their predecessors. Their determination paid off in large dividends in 1989 when Communism fell and the world at large was reintroduced to the very thing that had enchanted kings and queens for centuries.
Today, Bohemian crystal is one of the most sought-after gift items in the Czech Republic thanks in large part to its eye-catching beauty and relatively reasonable price tag. It comes in a staggering number of forms, including glasses, candlesticks, decanters, vases, and chandeliers, to name just a few.
Excerpted from the Third Edition of Moon Prague & Budapest.