How the year 1724 opened the door to Czech crystal chandeliers to the world

The story of the Palme dynasty

In the village of Prácheň near Kamenický Šenov, the first major glass workshop was born in 1724, founded by Josef Palme (1701-1747). This visionary glass cutter was granted permission by the Scharfenstein estate to manufacture chandeliers in the spring of 1724, laying the foundation stone for an industry that was soon to become a symbol of the region. In the same year, he produced the first crystal chandelier in this workshop, ushering in an era in which chandeliers became a sought-after item far beyond the borders of Bohemia.

"His ancestor, Casper Pallme-Meisel (1648-1696), began to process glass from the glassworks of J. K. Kittel around 1680. The tradition was extended by his son, Casper Pallme-Mahl (1674-1724), who ran his own glass and cutting workshop, where he produced the first glass candlesticks around 1700. Josef Palme, as the eldest son, took over the trade and founded the Josef Palme glass refinery in 1724." The 11th generation of the family, Mr. Christoph Hickisch from the company Christoph Palme e. K., recalls in his blog.

The crystal chandelier factory CHRISTOPH PALME around 1880 and its founder, Josef Palme (1701-1747). Source: book 300 Jahre CHRISTOPH PALME

However, Kamenický Šenov can boast one more important merchant who bears the Palme name, namely Eliáš Palme (1827 - 1893), who was a close friend of Reinhold Palme (a descendant of Josef Palme).

He was responsible for a spectacular boom and took the production of chandeliers to a new level of perfection. His ingenious organisation of work and ability to take on difficult orders defined the future of the industry. Under Elias' leadership, Elias Palme & Co. became one of the pillars of the Czech glass industry, whose products were synonymous not only with luxury but also with uncompromising quality. Despite the expansion of production, the company has never backed down from its principle - "Do just enough to make sure that everything can be done accurately and personally inspected and checked".

Historical photo of the Art Nouveau facade of the Elias Palme Glassworks and its founder Elias Palme (1827 - 1893). Source: upm.cz/170-let-sklarny-elias-palme

The birth of glassmaking education

In the following years, in the area of the Crystal Valley, glassworks grew one by one and Czech glass gained a worldwide reputation for its excellent quality. In 1856, the world's first glass school was founded in Kamenický Šenov. It was followed by a school in Nový Bor, a jewellery school in Jablonec nad Nisou and a glass school in Železný Brod, which together became an important link in the preservation of the glassmaking tradition.

Secondary School of Arts and Crafts in Kamenický Šenov - the oldest glass school in the world. Source: www.kamenicky-senov.cz

Post-war period and changes

In the post-war period after 1945, Czechoslovakia was at the crossroads of major economic and political changes. These changes had a profound effect not only on the overall development of the country, but also on traditional industries.

In this context, CHRISTOPH PALME company was not spared. In 1946, its heir Erich Hickisch was forced to seek new prospects for his family and friends in Germany. Their journey took them to the town of Rheinbach, where they discovered ceramic plants using quartz (SiO2), a raw material also key to their glass production. They managed to operate successfully in Rheinbach until 2006.

The legacy of Elias Palme & Co. lasted until 1946, when the history of the company was closed with the unification of the individual chandelier companies under the common brand of n.p. Lustry, Kamenický Šenov.

Chandeliers manufactured by Elias Palme and machining of metal components for chandeliers. Source: upm.cz/170-years-of-classroom-elias-palme

Chandeliers that have enchanted the world

The quality of the local crystal chandeliers has built a reputation of the highest quality and so the lighting fixtures have appeared in royal palaces all over the world.

As early as 1727, King Louis XV of France took a liking to Palme crystal chandeliers, as did Grand Duchess Marie Elisabeth. The Russian Tsarina Elisabeth and the Turkish Sultan Oman III were not left behind and also ordered them for their palaces.

The chandeliers of Maria Theresa, known as the "Terezians", which became a symbol of Czech glass art, are also unforgettable.

We will look at these legendary pieces, whose design has remained popular to the present day, in an upcoming episode of our series. We will also look at how the design of chandeliers has evolved over time and reveal which models have retained their charm to this day.