The Magical World of Czech Beads

Illustrated book about the history of seed beads

PRECIOSA ORNELA brings you the unique and just-published book devoted to the history of the glass bead.

"There are not many things that surround us, and which we see and use daily, that also have such a rich and fascinating history as do glass beads.  Through this book, we would like to share with you some of the joy and pride that we feel in being part – and continuing in – the history and tradition of these enchanting small glass beads.”

Preciosa Ornela

A unique blend of historical facts come to life with contemporary digital illustration:  this, in a nutshell, sums up the new publication, conceived and brought together by Preciosa Ornela this year. The thin book, which follows the roots and development of the glass bead is both a scholarly and engagingly-written historical narrative, which chronicles the key milestones that brought the production of these fragile glass gems to central Europe, and ultimately to the Jizera Mountains in northern Bohemia.

Written in storybook-like style, the glass bead’s tale is accompanied by beautiful full-page illustrations.  Thanks to the talented young illustrator’s penchant for comic book images, the book gained a modern edge while staying true to historic facts. The bilingual story with its vivid illustrations gives the Story of the Glass Bead an international flair, and will undoubtedly endear itself to readers across all generations.

Short video will introduce you the book.

You can buy the book at the Museum of Glass and Jewelery in Jablonec nad Nisou

Writen by Petr Nový
Illustrated by Dominik Strnad
Translated by Pauline Hruska