Oval vase-bowl "Musicians" Aida. Handcrafted.

Oval Bowl-Vase "Musicians" Handcrafted

Width: 32 cm. Height: 18.5 cm.

The Aida company continues the traditions of national Czech glass production and is among the world's top manufacturers of artistic glass.

For centuries, the Czech Republic has been famous for its crystal. Four hundred years ago, glassware production originated in Bohemia. Initially, the so-called Venetian glass was used for its production, but it lacked sufficient durability. True crystal production began in the Czech Republic in the 17th century, when lead oxide was added to glass, resulting in stunning outcomes. Czech crystal is known for its excellent clarity and greater strength, which allows artisans to create intricate engravings.

The history of Aida begins when Jiri Vydra, the visionary founder of the company, established his business in 1989, after the Velvet Revolution in the Czech Republic, following over 20 years of work at Mozera. Aida remains one of the few companies where highly skilled artisans create true works of art from crystal by hand. The process of producing crystal is multi-stage and complex, involving many craftsmen, each specializing in a specific area, such as glassblowers, engravers, cutters, and many others.

To obtain crystal, a batch must be melted down from which the crystal is made. The batch is a mixture of sand, potash, and lead oxide, the presence of which is the main distinguishing feature of crystal compared to regular glass.

The raw materials are melted in furnaces at extremely high temperatures exceeding 1500 degrees Celsius. The molten mass cools very quickly. To expedite the process, multiple artisans work on a single piece simultaneously. By the furnace, there are glassblowers, gatherers, and pressers. Glassblowers use special tubes with rubber bulbs. A drop of molten crystal is taken on one end of the glassblowing tube, and the piece is blown using the rubber bulb.

into the shape. The master glassblower uses a gathering pipe. With its help, he gathers the necessary amount of glass mass from the furnace and brings it to the pressing master, who manages the mold.

After the product is blown and takes on the required shape, it goes into the kiln for annealing. Annealing is intended for more uniform cooling of the crystal. In the annealing furnace, the temperature decreases from 700 degrees to 40-50 degrees over 1.5 hours.

Next, the upper part of the product, where the glassblowing tube was, is cut off in the flame of a gas burner. After this, the product undergoes the first quality control: checking for large bubbles, stones, and crooked feet; the thickness of the glass layer is measured.

Smooth products are decorated with a diamond facet. First, the product is marked, and after marking, it is placed on a conveyor and goes from master to master. The process of applying the diamond facet begins with the largest abrasive wheel and ends with the smallest. To prevent glass dust from entering the respiratory tract, water is supplied to the abrasive wheels.

After application, the diamond facet becomes matte. To obtain a clear facet, the product undergoes chemical polishing in a mixture of hydrofluoric and sulfuric acids. The acid etches and polishes the glass. The product is then thoroughly washed, and if necessary, facets are applied that should remain matte.

Next, the engraver begins work. In the final stage, either matte or glossy gold is applied. As a result, a unique product is created, often one of its kind. In the age of machines, it is very rare to encounter a genuine work of art. But the products from the Aida factory stand out for their handmade craftsmanship, skill, and high qualification of the engraver artists. Each piece is a unique idea of the creator, expressed in a physical object. All of this makes the products under the AIDA brand true works of art, possessing high artistic value and preserving their material integrity.Here is the translation of the provided text into English:

"and artistic value for centuries. Thanks to its striking geometric shapes and astonishing design, Aida crystal has won the love of people all over the world.

In terms of quality and complexity, Aida crystal is on par with Moser, but it differs in style. Since all products are handmade, one can order custom, unique, and one-of-a-kind vases, cups, bowls, goblets, and more.

There are only a few companies left in the world that have fully retained the handcrafted production of crystal—namely Moser, Aida, Iv-Sen-Lambert, and Lalique. The AIDA collection features unique pieces with engravings that replicate scenes from paintings by Rubens, Dürer, and Botticelli. Aida craftsmen not only preserve classic forms and designs but also create new, modern ones.

Aida's artisans have been commissioned to create works for officials and celebrities, including the President of the United States George Bush, His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex (also known as Prince Edward), and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria Shriver.

Only products of the highest quality leave the factory walls."

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