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Why did Bohemian crystal become popular around 1700?
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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.
Bohemian crystal gained prominence around 1700 primarily due to the invention of a new, heavy, high-lustre potash-lime glass. This material was significantly more massive and clearer than previous types, allowing engravers to perform deep, intricate cuts that were not possible with thinner glass.1
The popularity of this glassware was further driven by several key factors:
- Technical Skill: Engravers in the Bohemian-Silesian region achieved a high level of technical proficiency, enabling them to adapt their work to the evolving fashions of the 18th century.1
- Energy Utilization: The ability to harness mountain streams in the Riesengebirge for water power provided the immense energy required for relief engraving, a process that involves grinding down the background of a design.1
- Aesthetic Appeal: The resulting glassware was characterized by its original designs, a profusion of motifs, and rich, ostentatious ornamentation that aligned with the contemporary Baroque taste.21
These innovations made Bohemian crystal the leading glass in the world during that period, eventually causing a decline in the prestige of Venetian glass.23