Gablonz

Gablonz, a village in Northern Bohemia in today's Czechia, was a place of glass-working industry since immemorial time. The fabrication of Christmas ornaments from the native material developed as a byproduct, so to speak. Typical of Gablonz items are free or form blown beads which are stringed on wires and skilfully assembled to give very imaginative ornaments. Who is owning one of the elaborate star-shaped Gablonz tree toppers may boast an exquisite rarity.

You will find Gablonz objects of incredibly many different patterns: crowns, baskets, lamps, wind mills, stars, spiders etc. My favourite items are the older ones which are more robust in form and have vigorous colors. Small disks of composition material hold the item together.