Bohemian,Czech Glassware,Collectible Glass

Bohemian glass or Bohemia crystal (glass and crystal have the same meaning in the Czech language in the context of grind-decorated glass) is a decorative glass made in Bohemia and Silesia since the 13th century. Oldest archaeology excavations of glass-making sites date to around 1250 and are located in the Lusatian Mountains of Northern Bohemia. Most notable sites of glassmaking throughout the ages are Skalice(Langenau), Kamenicky Senov(Steinschönau) and Novy Bor(Haida). Both Novy Bor and Kamenicky Senov have their own Glass Museums with many items dating since around 1600. It was especially outstanding in its manufacture of glass in high Baroque style from 1685 to 1750. In the 17th century, Caspar Lehmann, gem cutter to Emperor Rudolf II in Prague, adapted to glass the technique of gem engraving with copper and bronze wheels.

Czech glass. Popular Czech Bohemian lead crystal dates back to the Renaissance, when abundant natural crystal was discovered throughout the Czech Republic. Hand-cut glassware—from delicate champagne flutes to intricate Christmas bowls—can be found in elegant Prague shops however not in the Old Town's, where you may find rather cheap looking China and Bulgaria imports over-priced for the tourist attention, however you can still find quality well-known Moser Glass or fine production of Bohemian Glassworks. The hand-blown ornaments and figurines featuring symbolic stars and moons, swans, owls, and birds are typical imported trash for fooling the tourists, but genuine Bohemian glassware and crystalware is typically decorated by the means of various intricate and demanding techniques. It is mostly hand-cut, hand-painted, rhinestone decorated, gold-plated or wheel engraved, it is not unusual to encounter combinations of these techniques. It takes 4 years of study to become a glass painter and a lot of years to gain enough skills for ultimate perfection