Bohemian Crystal and Glass

Perhaps the most famous export from the Czech Republic, the manufacture of fine glassware began in the 14th century. Blown and moulded glass already in use in the manufacture of mirrors, drinking vessels and chandeliers, started to be used later in the century, during the reign of Charles IV, for window fittings. This technical innovation of flat glass by the Czech glassmakers soon spread thoughout Europe, althought the secrets of its manufacture were jealously guarded, and Czech glass was always acknowledged as the superior product.

During the 15th century glass began to reach a larger public with the production of affordable domestic articles including glasses, vases and bowls.
Czeckoslovakia was at the cutting edge of this new technology and the subsequent addition of colour to glass, by the addition of various minerals such as Manganese (pink), Iron (green) and Copper (red). The cutting of glass with diamond tools and the additional decoration usng gold gave the artist in glass a further broad repertoire of styles.

Bohemian China

Bohemian china was first manufactured at the end of the 18th century in Western Bohemia around the modern day spa town of Carlsbad. The superb quality of Bohemian china, particularly it's coloured varieties, has led to a world wide popularity of Czech china for worldwide export.