Everyone has heard of Swarovski's
Austrian Crystal, but what, exactly is Czech crystal glass? Czech crystal is a
glass that is made in present-day Czechoslovakia, or the Czech Republic. Czech
crystal is in fact, much older in origin than Swarovski's. Prior to the
formation of the country of Czechoslovakia, the entire region was known as
Bohemia. In that region, the products made there were known as Bohemian
crystal, or Bohemian glass.
Glass has been made in the Czech
region since the early Bronze Age. At that time, the area was primarily
occupied by the Celts. The glass-making tradition continued through to the
Benedictine Monks, who used it to produce religious items such as drinking
glasses adorned with beads, rosaries, and adornments in cathedrals.