Baubles, Buttons and Beads: The Heritage of Bohemia [Paperback]

Sibylle Jargstorf (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997

For 500 years, the world's greatest makers of costume jewelry have hidden, anonymous, in the heart of Europe: Gablonz, Bohemia. This groundbreaking, beautiful book exposes the jewels, craftsmanship, technological development, and history of Bohemia. Almost 400 gorgeous color photographs illustrate the area's artistry, its most significant designers and manufacturers and their contributions to the art of jewelry, button, and bead making. Bohemian glass dynasties lasted for centuries, until the middle of the 20th century, when the entire community of German-stock craftsmen was expelled from the area in the turbulence of World War II. Though Gablonz will forever feel the loss of these great craftsmen, their artistry has been meticulously researched and documented by Sibylle Jargstorf for this book.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A long-time admirer of their work, Mrs. Jargstorf is also the author of Paperweights and Glass in Jewelry. She resides in her native Germany.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Schiffer Pub Ltd (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887404677
• ISBN-13: 978-0887404672
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > History > Europe > Czech Republic

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for bead lovers, July 22, 2000

By 

E. Swope (Kaneohe, HI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Baubles, Buttons and Beads: The Heritage of Bohemia (Paperback)

A beautifully done & informative book. I've enjoyed all of Jargstorf's books & feel they are an important contribution in an area where so few substantive works are available. This holds even more true with regards to beads of Bohemian origin...If you are interested in beads in general, it's recommended; beads of bohemian & czech origin, it's essential reading.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Abundant Creativity, February 15, 2011

By 

Lightman (New York) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Baubles, Buttons and Beads: The Heritage of Bohemia (Paperback)

Baubles, Buttons and Beads begins, "This book deals with the production of jewelry ("bijouterie") and other glass trinkets in the town of Gablonz and its outskirts". Nothing in this rather pedestrian introduction prepares the reader for the exposition of the incredible creativity of this industry that follows.

Gablonz (present day Jablonec in the Czech Republic) was a town in the formerly German speaking northern fringe of Bohemia. The author describes the history of how it became a center of the glass making industry. We learn how "daring glass making pioneers" developed revolutionary methods of production that opened up new and unique product design possibilities. The glass makers worked in close cooperation with the area's metal working craftsmen to realize their ideas. The isolation of the industry from the markets of the goods required the involvement of versatile and innovative merchants to complete the supply chain. The glass makers, metal workers and merchants joined forces in a unique network that supported the worldwide success of the industry.

It is simply breathtaking to survey the variety and range of beautiful and artistic products that resulted from this collaboration. The book is replete with hundreds of excellent plates that supplement the text and are an absolute feast for the eye.

While describing the industry with its product categories and production methods in a generic sense, the author also profiles the most significant manufacturers. I was especially interested to learn more about the renowned firm of Norbert Neiger, which, prior to the Second World War, produced some of the area's most outstanding costume jewelry.

The included price guide will primarily be of interest to collectors, but anyone with an eye for intricate beauty and abundant creativity will certainly enjoy this book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bohemian Heritage Delight, April 6, 2008

By 

Jennifer Jaye Milani "glass stones addict" (New South Wales , Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Baubles, Buttons and Beads: The Heritage of Bohemia (Paperback)

To further my passion for beautiful well made vintage jewelry I looked for books to help me. Realising that the Bohemian style was an inspiration, I searched for any books suitable. This book filled every need and interest. The photos are beautiful with many full family histories and photos of the makers and the often tragic end to the Bohemian dynasties because of wars.
I use my book constantly and have gained so much from the detailed descriptions, the families and the great variation in the Bohemian glass industry, both jewelry and other glass objects. I certainly recommend this book.