A Lovely 19th Century Bohemian Glass Stein

By Salvatore Mazzone - Florida Sun Steiners

Shown here from my collection is a lovely c1880 Bohemian ½ liter, blown, faceted clear glass stein featuring a magnificent intaglio wheel-cut stag in a lush forest. Etched into its matching pewter-mounted faceted-glass inlaid lid in old German script are the initials "DH" and "Carlsbad 1880". On the underside of its base is a 12-point so-called "simple star" with lanceolate-shaped rays radiating outward from its central point.

According to legend, in the 14th century, King Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor and the King of Bohemia, stumbled upon a natural hot spring while deer hunting. Impressed by its beauty and believing the spring's water to have therapeutic values, the king ordered the construction of a spa. The town that grew up around this spa was named "Carlsbad", meaning "Charles' Bath" or "Charles' Spa", in honor of the king. At the time, Bohemia was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and remained so until 1918. It is now part of the Czech Republic and the town has been re-named in Czech to Karlovy Vary, which still translates to "Charles' Bath" or "Charles Spa".

The origins of Bohemian glassmaking date back to the Middle Ages, but the 19th century marked a particularly dynamic era of development. During this period, the industry saw significant advancements that transformed Bohemian glassware into a symbol of elegance and sophistication. The emergence of highly skilled glassmakers, coupled with technological innovations, led to the creation of glassware that was both functional and decorative, embodying the spirit of the era.

One of the most notable features of 19th century Bohemian glass is its cut glass. This technique involved intricately cutting and polishing the glass to create elaborate patterns and designs. The craftsmanship required for cut glass was highly specialized, with artisans employing a range of tools and skills to achieve the desired effects. The resulting pieces were characterized by their sparkling brilliance and detailed patterns, which became highly sought after both locally and internationally.

Although certainly not one of the most elaborate or stunning examples of the period, I think my stein exhibits a simple but lovely and very nicely executed elegance and I'm delighted to have it in my collection

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