Czech Beaded Ornaments

Czech Beaded Ornament with Bell Dangle

The term “Czech beaded ornaments” refers to ornaments made of glass beads strung on wire and applies to ornaments made with as few as one large single bead, to the complicated, made with literally hundreds of individual beads on each ornament. They were made throughout Czechoslovakia, mostly in towns near to Reichenberg, Gablonz, and throughout the Thurigin area. There were similar beaded ornaments produced in Bohemia, Prague, Moravia, Silesia, Austria, Vienna, and Germany. Beaded ornaments were also manufactured in Russia and Japan but with a distinctly different look from those created in Europe,

Czech Beaded Ornament-3 Dimensional

Czech beaded ornaments were largely a cottage industry with individual craftsmen purchasing the beads or making them themselves and assembling them into designs. These ornaments were popular because of the novelty of the clever designs of the ornaments. The craftsmen who built them did so in a manner that gave the ornaments a semblance of life. When they were hung by thread on a Christmas tree lit with candles, the ornaments were so light in weight; they were able to move on the warm air currents. Children and adults both watched in fascination as the airplane ornaments seemed to soar under their own power and miniature ships sailed on the air. Animals circled, butterflies turned as if searching for flower ornaments. Figures of people danced. These ornaments gave life and movement to the Christmas trees of the past.

Sources:
Golden Glow of Christmas Past

The Beaded Ornaments of Czechoslovakia By Sandee Kelsey