Klimchi

Reviving the legacy of bohemian glass in the heart of Crystal Valley

Nestled in the Crystal Valley of northern Bohemia, KLIMCHI stands on the legacy of Jílek, a family glass factory founded in 1905 in Kamenický Šenov, a town often called the cradle of world glassmaking. The factory, built by the same French engineers who constructed the Eiffel Tower, still glows with molten crystal as artisans shape glass with breath and hand.

In 2019, at just 24, Lukáš Klimčák returned from studies abroad to revive a stagnating family workshop. He partnered with František Jungvirt, a Czech glass artist known for rediscovering and popularising forgotten Bohemian techniques, giving them a bold new voice. Together, they breathed life into historic forms and created modern designs recognised for their colour, clarity, and craft.

“It was very important for me to connect the brand with the tradition of Czech glass production, local people, and their skills. I think we have something to be proud of as a nation and we should not be afraid to show it abroad.”

Named to Forbes 30 Under 30, Klimčák brings both determination and vision to the brand, transforming a small-town factory into a meeting place of young designers and master glassblowers united by one purpose: to re-awaken Bohemia’s heritage for today’s homes.

Where colour becomes part of the glass

In the Jílek workshop, glassmaking still follows techniques unchanged since 1905. Each piece begins as molten crystal. They use a premium, lead-free Bohemian glass made from sodium-potassium crystal with colour additives. Prized for centuries for its sparkling clarity and strength, this glass allows for precise shaping and polishing without sacrificing durability. Every object is mouth-blown, hand-shaped with wooden tools, cooled  slowly, and finished by hand to ensure clarity, balance, and lasting strength. These traditional techniques, recognised by UNESCO in 2023, honour generations of Czech glassblowers whose skill has defined Bohemia’s heritage.

“In order to handcraft a piece of KLIMCHI glassware, our glassblowers can take up to three days from start to finish, using the techniques carried down the generations.”

KLIMCHI’s true distinction lies in its colour. While many brands spray pigment on the surface, KLIMCHI’s craftsmen blend mineral colours directly into the molten glass, embedding shade deep within. The result is unmistakable, glass alive with rich tones of deep violet, crystalline rose, and glistening aquamarine. Because this process demands absolute purity, colours are produced one at a time and follow the seasons – brighter hues in spring, deeper ones toward winter. 

Making new design icons guided by  material and heritage

KLIMCHI’s approach to design begins with deep respect for glass as a living material, and for the traditions that gave it meaning. “We draw inspiration from classic shapes, Czech glassmaking heritage, and functional elegance,” says the team.

“Our designs are meant to feel relevant across time, avoiding fleeting trends and instead focusing on harmony, simplicity, and beauty that lasts.”

The brand first gained recognition for Hobnail, a collection of jugs, glasses, and vases distinguished by a historic texture first seen in 18th-century France, cherished in 19th-century Bohemia, and returned to popularity in the 1940s America – proof of its enduring, iconic appeal.

Their later collections continue this conversation between past and present. Drawing from nature, geometry, and archival forms of the Jílek glassworks, each line explores the natural rhythm of glass, how it bends light, moves under heat, and captures stillness and motion. Old moulds, patterns, and gilding techniques have found new life through modern proportion and restraint.

 “We don’t chase sterile perfection. Handcraft is the truth. In every bump, wave, and irregularity, you’ll find evidence of a human hand.”

Colour has become KLIMCHI’s signature. Used boldly yet with balance, it has defined the brand’s recognisable aesthetic worldwide. Chosen by both royal families and global icons, KLIMCHI’s designs have achieved a rare balance of cultural relevance and timeless appeal earning their place as modern design icons.

A founder’s mission to bring honour to Czech glassmaking

KLIMCHI recognises that more and more people want to invest in well-made pieces that tell a story, support craftsmanship, and bring meaning to everyday rituals. That’s why their vision “to create contemporary glass art that becomes a story and heirloom of its new owners” resonates so deeply.

For founder Lukáš Klimčák, the mission is both creative and cultural.

“I’d like to bring honour to our nation,” 

One of their key goals is to serve as a beacon of inspiration for the younger generation. “We aim to kindle their passion for the mesmerizing art of glassblowing, encouraging them to consider it as a viable and exciting career path. In doing so, we hope to contribute to the preservation and advancement of this exquisite craft for generations to come.” Klimčák adds.

Investing in a KLIMCHI piece means joining that story, supporting UNESCO-recognised craft, the artistry of colour forged in fire, and a new generation of Czech makers shaping heritage for the future.