HISTORY OF THE BOHEMIA GABLONZ INDUSTRY

THE HISTORY OF THE GABLONZ CITY INDUSTRY

The GABLONZ industry was a new and very originally interpretation of jewelry during 1850 to 1938. The production originated in Northern Bohemia, more precisely, in Gablonz on the River Neisse.

In Gablonz people did not believe that jewelry could only be made of precious, costly raw materials and hence opened up a new horizon.

The free combination of glass, plastic, and base metals make an incredible abundance of colours, shapes and styles possible. Beauty and fashion have rapturously joined together and the Gablonz Industries have been the driving force since them. Bohemia with its long tradition of glass manufacturing dating back to the sixteenth century was the perfect place for the synthesis of creative power and artisan skills. These skills are well developed in Northern Bohemia (once populated by people of German origin) and especially in Gablonz on the River Neisse. Just this can explain the rapid rise of new industries which engaged in the production of fashion jewelry and accessoriesof a special kind - with hard work, craft skills and inventiveness.

As early as the mid-nineteenth century people all over the world were fascinated by the jeweler made in Gablonz. Glass, pearls, rhinestones, cabochons, necklaces, brooches, ear jewelry - the creative power of the craftsmen from Gablonz was boundless. Bangles, bracelets made of glass, were the best sellers at the turn of the century. They were sold in India in incredible quantities, safely packed and shipped on the "Gablonz", an Austrian linger regularly serving the Triest-Bombay route.

With bangles and other products the Gablonz industries soon became the hub of the Bohemian economy. The network of the Gablonz inustries comprises a vast variety of craft enterprises and factories as well as service providers and commercial houses. in 1938 this added up to over 4.000 enterprises. Unfortunately today only a few are left.