SCHONBEK

In Bohemia, classic source of the world’s finest crystal, a young man named Adolf Schonbek walked away from the family glassworks to start his own business. The year was 1870. Soon Adolf was manufacturing complete glass chandeliers.

It was the height of the last great era of romance and candlelight. People of means throughout Europe lived opulently in homes richly furnished and lighted by ornate crystal chandeliers. Not surprisingly, Adolf’s business flourished.

In London the Queen’s agent ordered Schonbek crystal for Buckingham Palace. In America Schonbek crystal found its way into the White House.

The Hapsburg emperor Francis Joseph I awarded the patent of nobility to a Schonbek ancestor, but the Schonbeks were destined to become citizens of a world beyond emperors.

Adolf Schonbek began a dynasty of light that extends to the present day. With each succeeding generation we Schonbeks have made the study of the crystal chandelier in all its forms our life’s work.