Bohemian glass, also referred to as Bohemia crystal, is glass produced in the regions of Bohemia and Silesia, now parts of the Czech Republic. It has a centuries long history of being internationally recognised for its high quality, craftsmanship, beauty and often innovative designs. Hand-cut, engraved, blown and painted decorative glassware ranging from champagne flutes to enormous chandeliers, ornaments, figurines and other glass items are among the best known Czech exports and immensely popular as tourist souvenirs. The Czech Republic is home to numerous glass studios and schools attended by local and foreign students.
Bohemian jug. Produced in Karlsbad (Karlovy Vary) by L. Moser & Söhne (ca. 1900)
Cut glass or cut-glass is a technique and a style of decorating glass. For some time the style has often been produced by other techniques such as the use of moulding, but the original technique of cutting glass on an abrasive wheel is still used in luxury products. On glassware vessels, the style typically consists of furrowed faces at angles to each other in complicated patterns, while for lighting fixtures, the style consists of flat or curved facets on small hanging pieces, often all over. Historically, cut glass was shaped using "coldwork" techniques of grinding or drilling, applied as a secondary stage to a piece of glass made by conventional processes such as glassblowing.
Bowl of a wine glass in typical cut glass style
Cut glass chandelier in Edinburgh
Chandelier in the chapel of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, donated in 1732, one of the earliest datable cut glass examples. The shape follows contemporary brass examples, with glass branches but no "drops"; only the pieces down the stem are cut, mostly with flat facets.
Pair of Regency chandeliers in Saltram House, England