PRODUCTION METHODS
ARTĚL crystal is painstakingly handcrafted by a team of highly skilled Czech artisans using only traditional production methods.Remarkably, these decorative techniques are practiced entirely “freehand” – that is, our skilled artisans use no more than hand-applied markings as a guide to producing even our most intricately detailed patterns and designs.
Given the slight irregularities of mouth-blown crystal, this means not only that motifs must be individually adjusted for every piece, but also that no two ARTĚL pieces are ever exactly alike.
GLASS BLOWING
This ancient craft, developed over 2,000 years ago, is at the heart of everything ARTĚL produces.Learn more
GLASS ENGRAVING
First developed in the mid-1500s, engraving is the practice of etching designs onto a glass surface using a variety of grinding wheels.Learn more
GLASS CUTTING
One of the oldest traditional methods of glass decoration, "cut glass" refers to crystal glassware that has been decorated by hand using rotating abrasive wheels to cut patterns into the glass surface.Learn more
GLASS PAINTING
Painting on glass is an exceptionally painstaking process that takes days to complete.Learn more
SANDBLASTING
Developed in 1886, sandblasting is a process by which glass is ground by hand to produce a matte finish.Learn more
GILDING
Dating back at least to ancient Rome, the decorative art of gilding is a technique for applying a very thin layer of gold (or other precious metals like platinum or silver) to surfaces such as metal, porcelain, or glass.Learn more
MOTIF DRAWING
Every ARTĚL motif begins as a highly detailed hand-drawn illustration that must be scaled to fit precisely on each of our unique glass shapes and sizes.Learn more
