Bohemia Glassworks in Poděbrady

Lead crystal, known today for its unique brilliance and luster, originated in 17th-century England. Its invention is attributed to the English glassmaker George Ravenscroft, who began adding lead to glass around 1678. At that time, English glasshouses started using coal to fuel their furnaces, resulting in impure glass. To solve this problem, Ravenscroft experimented by adding lead oxide, which imparted exceptional clarity, brilliance, and a higher refractive index to the glass. Moreover, lead glass proved to be suitable for cutting, which further highlighted its luster and refractive effects. Lead glass has a higher refractive index, making its appearance sparkling, bright, and brilliant in the light. This new type of glass quickly gained popularity, with Czech cutters contributing to the refinement of cutting, further promoting the spread and popularity of lead crystal in Europe. Thus, lead crystal became the foundation for a long-standing tradition of luxury glass production, later adopted by Bohemia Glassworks.

Bohemia Glassworks, located in Poděbrady, has a long and fascinating history in glass production, especially lead crystal, which began in the second half of the 19th century. This history dates back to 1876 when brothers Jan and Augustin Gerhardt founded a glasshouse near the railway station in Poděbrady. The production was moved from their older glasshouse in Pavlov, located near Světlá nad Sázavou. The glasshouse in Poděbrady thus became the first modern glassworks in Central Bohemia, which at that time represented a significant advancement, especially given the modest natural resources and available labor in the region.

The early years of operation were not easy. They primarily produced potassium glass, which did not impress with its quality. The products included simple items like lamps, bottles, and other common glass products, which met with only limited commercial success. As a result, production stagnated between 1886 and 1893. However, the situation dramatically changed in 1893 when the glassworks were purchased by entrepreneur Josef Inwald. This significant businessman and innovator invested in modernizing the operation and introduced new production methods that included etching and cutting glass. Thanks to these innovations, the glassworks became profitable and began achieving success.

At the beginning of the 20th century, particularly during the First Republic, the glassworks continued to develop, especially due to the production of lead crystal. This type of glass, characterized by its high brilliance and aesthetic processing, quickly captivated customers both at home and abroad. Between 1920 and 1927, the factory was modernized and expanded its production to include artistically cut crystal, which gained international recognition. In addition to hand-cut glass, the glassworks also began producing pressed lead crystal. Although this expansion was successful, the glassworks could not escape the consequences of the global economic crisis that affected the entire Inwald group. After Josef Inwald's death, his son Oskar took over the management, but he also faced financial difficulties that led to bankruptcy. The crisis was overcome thanks to the Czechoslovak Discount Bank, which acquired the glassworks with plans for their closure. Fortunately, the new director Leo Moser was able to stabilize the company and lead it back to prosperity.

World War II posed another complex period for the glassworks. The glassworks came under German administration, and production was largely focused on military purposes. In 1941, a fire damaged one of the furnaces. Despite these obstacles, the company managed to endure, and after the war, a new beginning awaited the glassworks. After the war, Czechoslovakia underwent extensive changes in 1945, and the glass industry was nationalized. The factory in Poděbrady became part of the national enterprise Bohemia, which grouped several glassworks and began to position itself as a leading producer of lead crystal under the Bohemia brand. Modernization and centralization of production allowed the company to achieve even greater success in the export market.

The 1950s and 1960s represented a period of significant artistic innovations for the Czechoslovak glass industry. Designers and artists from the Applied Arts School in Prague began to seek new forms and patterns for traditional Czech glass, including lead crystal. Among the most notable figures of this period were Jiří Řepásek, Václav Horáček, and Ladislav Oliva, who focused on experiments with pressed glass. Their work led to the creation of iconic pieces that still represent the pinnacle of Czechoslovak glass design. Jiří Řepásek, one of the pioneers in pressed crystal, developed a unique style that combined richly structured relief and precisely arranged sculptural motifs. His designs quickly became popular at home and in international exhibitions, where they received numerous awards.

This style allowed glass to take on a new place in households and interiors, where pressed crystal was used not only as functional but also as decorative glass. Řepásek focused on utilizing the refractive effects of light in his work, giving his products a unique appearance.

In 1999, Bohemia Glassworks became part of the Bohemia Crystalex Trading group, which encompassed several significant Czech glass companies, including Kavalier Glassworks in Sázava, Crystalex in Nový Bor, and Bohemia Glass in Světlá nad Sázavou. This merger aimed to increase the competitiveness of the Czech glass industry in the global market. Despite these efforts, the group went bankrupt in 2009, and Bohemia Glassworks was acquired by Crystal BOHEMIA, which continues their tradition of glass production to this day.

Today, Bohemia Glassworks is synonymous with quality. Their products, whether vases, bowls, or other decorative items, are valued for their distinctive design and sophisticated relief. This type of glass has found its place not only in households but also in modern interiors, where it is often used as a decorative element or as a gift. Bohemia Glassworks thus continues to uphold the legacy of Czech glass.