Customer Reviews

Baubles, Buttons and Beads: The Heritage of Bohemia

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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.

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.

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.