Although the establishment of Crystal BOHEMIA is relatively recent, having been founded in 2008, its owners draw on the rich history of glassmaking in the Poděbrady region. Their goal is not only to preserve but also to develop the tradition of lead crystal production. Currently, Crystal BOHEMIA is the largest producer of Czech cut crystal in the country and ranks among the leading manufacturers worldwide.
The glassworks in Poděbrady, which has become a bearer of the rich and long tradition of Czech cut crystal production dating back to the early 18th century, was founded by brothers Augustin and Jan Gerhardt. The factory, which was the most modern in Bohemia at the time, began operations in 1877, but after just six years, the company collapsed, and production ceased in 1886. The new owner was the Viennese entrepreneur Josef Inwald, under whose management a period of prosperity began, as he significantly invested in his Poděbrady company as well as in other Czech glassworks. After his son Oskar took over the company, an important turning point in the history of the Poděbrady glassworks occurred—production of lead crystal glass began. A sad change came during the economic crisis of the 1930s, when the entire conglomerate collapsed. Under the rule of the Communist Party, all glassworks producing lead crystal were merged into a single company, Sklárny Bohemia Poděbrady, and later absorbed by the monopolistic Skloexport.
A new era for Crystal BOHEMIA began in 2008 with its revival. The factories fully resumed operations the following year, and today the company ranks among the leading global players in lead crystal production. Visitors can learn about the story and production techniques through guided tours, which include an exhibition on the history of the company, a screening of an educational film, a visit to the glassworks, a demonstration of decorative grinding, and conclude in the company’s Cash & Carry store.
Despite advancements in automation, some specific manufacturing processes cannot be perfectly replaced by machines and still require manual labor. The typical characteristics of lead crystal—its clarity and high refractive index—are most pronounced when the product is decorated with grinding or cuts, which are performed using diamond grinding wheels, for example.
