Large Bohemian turquoise opaline glass ewer with gilding, circa 1820. Height: 8.5". Sakai Antiques Inc. Gallery.
The rich tradition of bohemian glass-making dates back to the 16th century in the regions in and around Bohemia, the present-day Czech Republic (CollectorsWeekly.com). Due to its costliness, bohemian glass was once reserved only for loyalty. Yet it was the introduction of “marbled” glass techniques in the 19th century that paved the way for the exquisite vases, pitchers and other forms that collectors identify with bohemian glass.
Bohemian white and pink glass tankard with gilding, circa 1840. Height: 7.5". Sakai Antiques inc. Gallery
Surface treatments, such as the raised gold and/or platinum work on the pieces above became the central focus of bohemian glass artisans. Expert craftsmen, bohemian glass makers fused molten pieces of glass with equally hot glass threads to form elaborate designs while the materials were still malleable. Glass making held a prominent place in Bohemia and the neighboring country of Silesia, especially in German-speaking towns.
Bohemian green glass compote, gilded and enamelled, circa 1820. Height: 5.75". Sakai Antiques Inc. Gallery
By the middle of the 19th century, the art of bohemian glass making was at its pinnacle. The iridescent Art Nouveau style or Jugendstil decorative glass created in this period, such as the compote above, is what most contemporary collectors identify as bohemian glass. Sakai Antiques Inc. Gallery can be reached here regarding any of these pieces.
