Swedish glass master Erik Höglund reveled in unconventional techniques and practices — the Karlskrona native once drove glassblower Ruben Hjelm out of a studio at Boda after mixing potatoes into a crucible of molten glass to determine if he could generate bubbles in the finished object. Höglund always walked his own path, and his individuality and creative spirit defines the range of decorative objects, lighting fixtures and other works in glass that he created over the years.
Höglund was born in 1932 and studied drawing and sculpting at the Swedish School of Arts. Despite his limited experience with glass, Höglund joined Boda Glassworks when the manufacturer reached out to the school for the services of a young glass artist. He taught himself how to blow glass at night and found inspiration on travels through Europe as well as in his everyday life, creating sculptures that boasted exquisite color pairings and subdued, streamlined forms. He worked at Boda for 20 years.
The Swedish National Museum purchased Höglund’s early works for an exhibition of Swedish glass art, and in 1957, Höglund’s stunning and expressive objects and sculptures earned the Danish Lunning Prize — the highest honor for an up-and-coming Scandinavian artist. He garnered international acclaim and his colorful iron and glass candleholders, candelabras and vases went on display in New York City. His work is held in the collections of the Blekinge Museum, the National Museum of Stockholm and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
Höglund left Boda in 1973 to establish his own smithery. He returned to glass design in the subsequent years, when the legendary innovator created richly colored and provocative works for Pukeberg, Åhus, Nový Bor and other manufacturers.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Erik Höglund decorative objects, lighting and dinnerware.
Erik Höglund, Candelabra, Four-Armed, Kosta Boda, 1960s-1970s
By Erik Höglund, Kosta Boda
Located in Stockholm, SE
A four-armed floor candelabra, designed by Erik Höglund for Kosta Boda. Made in iron, blue glass and glass with motifs. 1960s-1970s.
Iron
Pair of Candlesticks in Teak by Erik Höglund, 1950's
By Erik Höglund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Pair of Candlesticks in Teak by Erik Höglund, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Teak Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced by Boda Trä in Sweden Dimensions (W x D x H): 2...
Teak
Erik Höglund Hanging Candelabra Produced by Boda in Sweden
By Erik Höglund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Hanging candelabra designed by Erik Höglund. Produced by Boda in Sweden.
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Modern Mirror and Console Table by Erik Höglund
By Erik Höglund
Located in New York, NY
A Contemporary Century hall table and mirror by Swedish artist Erik Höglund (1932-1998) for Eriksmåla, Kosta Boda, 1967. Having a polychrome colo...
Birch, Paint
Erik Höglund Hanging Candelabra Produced by Boda in Sweden
By Erik Höglund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Hanging candelabra designed by Erik Höglund. Produced by Boda in Sweden.
Wrought Iron
Glass Relief Sculpture of Child by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda
By Erik Höglund
Located in Montreal, QC
Glass relief sculpture of child by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda inset in standing steel frame.
Glass
Set of 5 1950s Art Glass Pieces by Erik Hoglund for Boda, Sweden
By Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in London, GB
A Set of 5 Art Glass Pieces designed in 1950s by Erik Hoglund (1932-1998) for the iconic Swedish glass factory Boda. Measures: Rectangular pieces 11 cm wide x 9 cm deep x 3 cm high, circular pieces 7 cm diameter x 3 cm high. Erik Höglund was studied at Konstfack in Stockholm, first decorative painting with Fritz Sjöström, then sculpture with Robert Nilsson and finally graphic design 1951-1952 with Harald Sallberg. Recruited by Erik Rosén, he was an associate designer at the Boda glassworks from 1953 to 1973 and, during this period, transformed Swedish art glass production by introducing new ideas about the appearance of glass products.. While in Boda, he also worked with pine, wrought iron and furniture. Later he also collaborated with other glassworks, such as Pukeberg, Lindshammar and Studioglas Strömbergshyttan. In 1968 he founded the design company Backström & Höglund Design AB together with the glass artist Monica Backström, with the mission to design furniture, household utensils and utensils for the public environment. Höglund was also a member of Vet Hut AB, which was founded in 1971 by ten designers from the Boda glassworks, in addition to the usual work: Erik Höglund, Monica Backström, Ann Wolff...
Glass