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How did Bohemian glassmakers respond to competition from English lead glass?
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glassware
Fish of core-made glass with “combed” decoration, Egyptian, New Kingdom, 18th dynasty (c. 1363–46 bc). In the British Museum. 0.141 m × .069 m.
In the late 18th century, English lead glass with cut decoration gained significant popularity, surpassing the traditional Bohemian crystal. To respond to this competitive pressure, Bohemian glassmakers introduced several innovative styles and techniques:
- Hyalith glass: A black glass often decorated with gold chinoiserie motifs.
- Lithyalin glass: A type of glass designed to resemble semiprecious stones.
- Specialized decorative glass: The production of inexpensive ruby glass and opaque white overlay glass, both of which were frequently carved and enameled.
These developments allowed Bohemian manufacturers to offer distinct aesthetic alternatives to the prevailing English styles.1