If people in the United States might be knowledgeable of the best of Western European stemware - the Reidel glass and stemware stores found in the best shopping quarters of the great European cities, or the incomparable etched glass from the Czech Republic (formerly Czechoslavakia) - they are all but totally unaware of what European country offers a comparable product for considerably less.
Indeed, before discussing this great alternative, let me just mention that "considerably less/comparable quality" is a major reason to consider Romanian stemware for those in need of building or replenishing their stemware collections. First, the value of the dollar vis-a-vis Romanian currency is not as weak as it is against the Euro in use throughout much of Europe; markups on Romanian stemware have been far less damaging than for Euro-based products. Second, you do not have to sacrifice value by shifting the geographic locus of your purchase.
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The truth is that most people know less about Romania and its famous Transylvania province than they do about Bram Stoker's famous novel "Dracula." The novel and the copious number of films it spawned are so much with us that we may find it difficult to shift our attention from the horror inculcated by what we have read and seen to a province and a country that, despite its turbulent history, has long nourished a reputation for artistic pursuits - e.g., rug weaving and a celebrated tradition of fine glassmaking.
Yet, as collectors of fine art in all of its manifestations, we have become only recently aware that Romania produces and exports all over Europe some of the world's most exquisitely beautiful examples of hand-blown, hand-decorated, and etched crystal. Prospective purchasers of Romanian glass and stemware should seek out the best online sites dealing in gorgeous crystal collectibles. They should bear in mind that Romanian glass and stemware meet every requirement for being "practical" at the same time that they qualify as collectibles. The best websites will have searched out stunning examples of these 100% lead-free, limited-edition crystal masterpieces to offer you at incomparably low prices.
Romanian glass and stemware are created by artisans who take pride in being part of the continuation of this long tradition in their country. Not content with the mundane and the banal in their work, unwilling to produce only works that copy their counterparts all over the world, they strive instead to take their art to the highest levels, creating pieces unlike any other in this strongly competitive field. You may be completely assured that none is manufactured, that each piece is an individually mouth-blown and intricately hand-decorated masterpiece of the glassblower's art, one that you will treasure from the moment you acquire it.
For convenience of classification merchants and manufacturers divide Romanian stemware into collections, each of which has its own unique design and charm. Some, for example, are in cobalt blue with a line swirl design not unlike some more expensive European masterpieces of stained glass.
The manifestations of artistic imagination and creativity found in Romanian glassware are endless in their originality and craftsmanship. Whether we are paying homage in stemware to the magnificence of stained glass, or speaking of the plainly simple, or admiring an etched design of painted grapes, or an etching that is more geometric in design - as with squares and rectangles - each piece assumes an aura of elegance that will make you exceptionally pleased to use it in your home and to display it proudly to your discerning guests.
Whatever your choice may be, you will know that you have added exquisitely functional objects of admiration to your table service: red and white wine goblets in all sizes and shapes, champagne flutes, martini sets, brandy snifters, decanters, beer glasses, candle holders, candy dishes, oil lamps, and more. Please see our extensive catalog of Romanian glass and stemware at http://theglobalconnoisseur.com.