Bohemian glass is a material with a huge history, famous and very popular today. For any housewife, buying such dishes means, in reality, fulfilling their dream. It is not surprising, because Bohemian glass has always adorned even the most distinguished tables of kings, merchants and other nobles.
To this day, residents of the Czech Republic can be proud of their dishes. It is used in almost all the leading restaurants in the world. Glasses, wine glasses, wineglasses and glasses are able to satisfy every taste, allowing a person to feel truly royal.
Bohemian glass has been known since the Middle Ages
So, a bit of history. Bohemian glass began to be produced in the Middle Ages, as soon as the inhabitants of the country discovered a lot of wood, as well as silicon and chalk. Soon they developed a production technology.
It immediately won the status of the best in the world. Bohemian glass was much stronger than Venetian glass, while it was also more beautiful. The variety of colors gave it a unique sophistication. Cobalt blue, sky blue, ruby red vases and various dishes very quickly decorated the tables of the richest houses in many civilized countries.
Production Improved
Already in the nineteenth century, Bohemian glass gained particular popularity. Masters produced products of a wide variety of shapes, colors and designs. Even the middle class could already afford Bohemian glass. Vases, candy bowls, salad bowls, decanters, glasses were produced in various new and emerging companies. Seeing such beauty, it was quite difficult to remain indifferent to it.
Today, products from Bohemian glass have not gone out of fashion. People continue with great pleasure to purchase products made in any style, or in a combination of several styles at once. The works of these masters satisfy the tastes of even the most demanding customers.
Subtypes of Bohemian Glass
In a word, production does not stop improving. Today, Bohemian glass is divided into two subtypes. To know each of them is not at all difficult. It is Bohemian crystal and smooth painted glass.
In any case, this product has something in common. It consists in certain properties of the glass mass, which, when cooled, becomes solid, shiny, transparent like a tear. After that, professional grinders and carvers work on the material, turning it into the so-called "sparkling diamond."
By the way, three more groups of products are also identified, depending on the content of lead oxide in the products. At 33% and above - this is a premium class. Standard products - up to 33%, and made of traditional glass - up to 24%.
Unfortunately, there are fakes
Of course, any housewife will be pleased to see such dishes on their table. Bohemian glass will surely delight all of its guests. Glasses and wine glasses, however, can be fake. Sitting at the table can easily determine this by drawing a wet finger along the edge of the product. Real Bohemian glass will “sing”. The fake is silent.
Despite the fact that these products will look similar to the original, they will never be able to take a truly royal place in your home. Only the originals will remind you of the oldest glass production in Central Europe . They perfectly combine impeccable style, modern design, and high-quality features.
How to authenticate?
How to make sure that you get real Bohemian glass? Wine glasses, wineglasses, glasses, vases and other products, as a rule, are specially marked. This makes it easier to identify. However, do not forget that this applies only to glass products made in recent years.
The original can also be recognized by its basic forms. In products made of real Bohemian glass, they are always very simple. Decorated they can be very extravagant. At the same time, the design will remain stylish. Art Deco has been used in products since about the twenties of the last century.
On Bohemian glass, various marks are often made manually. The same goes for jewelry. Often another glass is added to the product. It can be decorated with stucco or flowers.
If the glass looks like malachite, or is endowed with marble-like stains - this also indicates its authenticity, as well as the presence of orange, green, black, yellow and purple colors.
At the bottom of most products, if you look at the light, you can see special marks. For example, the inscription: “Made in Czechoslovakia”, or the name of the city in which the glass was made will be indicated there.
Thus, to acquire the original is not at all difficult. Following all of the above tips will help you with this. As a result, you will receive wonderful products that will delight you and your guests for many years.