The history of bead making in Czechoslovakia is an interesting one. Bohemian craftsmen gave rise to the world’s largest glass industry during the Renaissance period, but it wasn’t until the industrial revolution that new machines could produce vast quantities of identical beads. After centuries of competition with Venice, Czech glass makers went on to master the process of pressed glass.
After WWI the bead industry had nearly collapsed and it wasn’t until after the Great Depression that bead production resumed. Subsequent to the war, Bohemia became part of the new Czechoslovakian state, and in 1945 the entire industry was nationalized under communist rule. In 1958, the communist party had no choice but to look for goods to export in exchange for hard cash, so the Czech Republic once again became the largest exporter of glass beads in the world.
This necklace is a beautiful example of how Czechoslovakian glass came to be part of my vintage Jewelry line. These beads probably arrived in the U.S. during the late 1950's/ early 1960's.
This necklace sells for $250. Please contact me by email to purchase any of my work at KellyEFielding@gmail.com
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