The ancient alchemic symbol for glass, composed of an eternal figure of eight and a cross, seemed to suggest that its production involved unending suffering. Perhaps we can concede that beauty is most often born of pain and suffering and is, at the same time, cleansing. In the same way we can say that glass production is never-ending pleasure. This mysterious substance seems to embody the very soul of human progress; it is a natural and yet cultivated material. It is solid, but can be without shape. It is hard yet brittle. It can conceal or expose, obscure or illuminate. It can serve modestly or sumptuously adorn. This is glass. Whoever is touched by it is transformed, often enchanted by it for the rest of their lives.

With the assistance of some powerful energy, the production of glass becomes an image of the transformation from wild nature into living object. The birth of glass begins at night with the melting of the raw glass batch, and takes its final shape during the day with the touch of human hands.

Bohemian glass, chiefly referred to as Bohemia crystal, is glass produced in the regions of Bohemia and Silesia, now parts of the Czech Republic. It has a centuries long history of being internationally recognised for its high quality, craftsmanship, beauty and often innovative designs.

"Those who want to love Czech glass must know and understand it. And there is no understanding without a deep knowledge of the art of glassmaking itself, its long tradition, its origins, and its development. Only a few people share the secrets of this art and its complicated progress from mass of glass into beautiful object. The glassmaker will accomplish his job by the breath from his mouth and often with tears of exhaustion caused by the flames of the melting furnaces. The role of glass in the world is greater than that of other materials, even more expensive ones. Loving glass means forgetting darkness and rising towards light and brightness. To stare at its rainbow-like reflections and glare is to become a more noble person. The love of glass means admiring and appreciating those qualities that form its permanent value - like the genuineness of the glass and the honesty of work."

Josef Drahoňovský at the 2nd International Congress on Glass, London, 1936