Page 214 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Prague

212  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

What to Buy in Prague

There is a huge selection of goods available in Prague’s shops. You should watch out for an
Prague’s more traditional products, such as Bohemian crystal, increasing number of fakes
china, wooden toys and antiques, make great souvenirs, and which are now appearing
there are still some real bargains to be picked up around the in the market.
Prague also has several bazar
city, though you will need to shop around. Increasingly shops which stock a range of
popular are the more unusual, though less authentic, historic items at cheaper prices. Items
goods which are sold by many of Prague’s street shops. are often unusual and good
These include Soviet army medals, Red Army uniforms bargains can be found. Bazar
and Russian dolls. Lovely Czech gems are also worth Nekázanka is a small, popular
shop full of second-hand
investigating, particularly garnets.
goods. For furniture bargains,
Antik Bazar is well worth a visit.
Glass and China
crystal, also makes an excellent
Bohemian glass and china gift or souvenir. Český Porcelán,
have always been ranked the country’s most famous Traditional Crafts
among the finest in the world. factory, is in Dubí, close to the The traditional manufacture
From huge, decorative vases town of Teplice, an hour’s drive of high-quality, hand-crafted
to delicate glass figurines, the towards the German border goods still survives in modern-
vast selection of glass and from Prague, and its factory day Prague. The variety of
china items for sale is daunting. shop offers wonderful bargains. the merchandise available
Crystal, glass and china can be Český Porcelán also has a shop in the shops – hand-woven
quite different depending on in Prague. Other names worth carpets, wooden toys, table
where they are made. Lead looking out for include Royal mats, beau tifully painted Easter
crystal ranges in lead content Dux Bohemia, Haas & Czjzek, eggs, baskets, figurines in folk
from 14 to 24 per cent, for A. Ruckl & Sons and Toner. costumes and ceramics – are all
example. Always make sure Because of the fragile nature based on Czech and Moravian
you are fully aware of what you of the goods, many shops will folk crafts and then enriched
are buying. pack anything you buy there. with modern elements. You
Some of the best glass and But if you go for a more expen- can buy traditional craft items
china in Bohemia is produced sive piece, it is worth looking from many market stalls as well
at the Moser glassworks in into insurance before you as a fair number of shops.
Karlovy Vary and sold at Moser. leave Prague. Making items from clay is
The deep blood-red Bohemian an ancient craft in the Czech
garnet, the Czechs’ de facto nat- Republic. Česká Keramika
ional stone, is highly popular and Antique Shops has a long tradition of
can be purchased as jewel lery Given its history as a major manufacturing ceramics.
in many of the stores which city in the Habsburg empire, A jewellery shop known
also sell glass, including Crystal Prague is a great place to for using only the best Czech
Direct, Czech Crystal and Erpet hunt for antiques. Hidden garnets mounted in stylish,
Bohemia Crystal. Another great treasures seemingly lurk contemporary settings is Studio
store to visit is Artěl, which sells around every corner, and Šperk. You should also look out
mouth-blown glass ware desi- prices are still generally lower for a chain of shops called
gned by Karen Feldman. than in the West. Most of the Manufaktura (Handmade),
However, prices for certain city’s shopping districts have which sells goods made only in
goods, especially classically a large number of antique the Czech Republic and has a
designed vases, decanters and shops: Old Town is full of huge choice of hand-carved
bowls are starting to reflect them, as is the Royal Route decorative items, as well as
the increasing popularity of from the castle. Look out for original cosmetics.
Bohemian crystal. The days Bohemian furniture, glass and A number of street vendors
when such goods could be porcelain, as well as military around Old Town Square also
purchased in Prague for half and Soviet memorabilia. sell handmade items including
the Western European price Antique shops that are jewellery and puppets. Czech
are over. Yet, value for money well worth exploring include wooden items are of the
remains high, and you can still Dorotheum, Starožitnosti highest quality (see Speciality
pick up bargains if you shop pod Kinskou and Pražské Shops, pp214–15).
around carefully. Remember Starožitnosti. Military
that many of the modern Antiques is a haven for all Books
pieces are just as lovely and army fanatics. For goods
much cheaper. over Kč1,000, check with There are numerous booksho ps
Bohemian porcelain, while the shop whether you will in Prague, reflecting the city’s
not as celebrated as Bohemian need a licence to export them. rich literary heritage. Many of

212-213_EW_Prague.indd 212 22/03/2017 12:30
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Date 13th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm