Joh. Oertel & Co. Crystal since 1869
The finest Bohemian crystal glass for over 150 years
Joh. Oertel & Co. has been producing and selling lovingly handcrafted drinking glasses, bowls and vases in a long-standing family tradition, which have been valued as the epitome of luxury and quality since 1869 and fascinate with their beauty.
In 1869 during the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Johannes Christian Oertel founded a “glass-making business for export”. In Haida, the centre of the North Bohemian glass industry, the company’s founder sought out new techniques of glass finishing and in the years 1887 and 1889 patented several “methods for producing a colour ornamentation on hollow glass objects “.
The family-owned John Oertel & Co. has lived through a chequered 150 years: two world wars, the Great Depression, and the expulsion and dispossession following World War II.
Johannes the company founder died in 1909. The company passed to his son (also) Johannes with his two unmarried sisters as ‘silent partners’. Under his leadership, OERTEL produced and marketed its own designs and those of the famous Haida College, and thus achieved world renown. John Oertel was married to Julie Meltzer of the well-known glass manufacturer Ludwig Meltzer in Langenau.
The unique Art Deco and Art Nouveau designs of Oertel led to an expansion of markets and business overseas, as well as to participation in numerous prestigious exhibitions in North and South America.
In 1905, 1913 and 1922 OERTEL took part in the world exhibitions of Liège, Ghent and Rio de Janeiro. Further exhibitions including Paris (1925) and New York (1929) followed and OERTEL also exhibited at the famous Leipzig Trade Fair.
A new beginning 1946
After the Second World War, Johannes Oertel and his son-in-law, Dr Rolf Neuhäuser with their families, were forced to leave the Sudetenland. They made a fresh start in Welzheim, near Stuttgart. The noble material crystal continued to fascinate them, and they are well aware of the unique abilities of the former employees. They did everything in their power to bring the former skilled workers from Haida to the new site. The glass cutters, engravers and painters returned to work for Oertel. The first collection of the new production was ready in 1947. Oertel built housing for its staff in the early 1950s. In 1955, it brought all the scattered elements together in a new factory. Oertel became a permanent exhibitor at both the Hanover Fair and the Frankfurt Trade Fair.
Oertel’s international reputation for high-quality luxury crystal was soon known throughout the most prominent circles. Oertel was the supplier of choice for royal families worldwide from the 1960s onwards. We supplied the royal houses of Libya, Malaysia and Persia, as well as many heads of state, including Marshal Tito of Yugoslavia. Oertel supplied the crystal chandelier for the Opera House in Stuttgart and the crystal lights that stand today in front of the Baden-Württemberg state parliament.
Johannes Oertel died in 1956. Dr Rolf Neuhäuser, his son-in-law, was the sole proprietor of the business. After his early death in 1967, his widow, Maria Neuhäuser (née Oertel), ran the business and established the core export business of the company. OERTEL has been run by her daughter Petra Schütte since 1978. The company now exports more than 80 per cent of its wares. OERTEL products were proudly showcased at leading international trade fairs in Germany, England, Italy, France, India and the Middle East.
Oertel Crystal today
The company has a specialism in master craftsmanship and unique crystal.
By the close of the 20th century, it had become progressively challenging to sustain the site in Germany’s southern region. Concurrently, new opportunities emerged with the opening of the eastern borders. The decision was taken to return to the company’s roots. Production has now been relocated back to the region where glass art originated, North Bohemia in the Czech Republic. The decision to return to the original location has proven to be a highly beneficial one. In the northern Bohemian region, there was significant potential for the development of experienced professionals capable of realising the exceptional traditional and ornate designs of OERTEL.
The Middle- and Far-Eastern markets were particularly impressed by the elaborate designs and custom-made pieces. The hand-painted fancy decoration, the masterful cut and engravings, the ornaments of pure gold and the precious crystal were highly regarded in the Arabian Gulf states.
Renowned luxury brands and interior designers utilise OERTEL’s art and handiwork to create exquisite, handcrafted crystal products for their collections and their discerning customers’ designs. Our prestigious client list includes such renowned names as Dior, Fabergé and highly respected interior designers. Oertel was responsible for the creation of state gifts for the Foreign Office in Berlin, while the State Chancellery of Baden-Württemberg opted for crystal glasses manufactured by the company.
For over 150 years, OERTEL has been synonymous with traditional and masterly craftsmanship, timeless elegance and exquisite luxury. As a family-owned business, we are dedicated to supplying our customers worldwide with objects of refined and exclusive taste.
Since 1869, OERTEL has been synonymous with handmade pieces that embody timeless elegance and the embodiment of tradition, fine tableware and stylish ambience.
Each crystal piece by Oertel is characterised by quality, exceptional craftsmanship and a over-150-year family tradition.
OERTEL is synonymous with crystal glass and unique creations.
OERTEL represents not only glass but stands also as the epitome of unique creations from the finest crystal.