The Swedish design philosophy of “beautiful things for everyday life” is actualized in the vintage glassware of Orrefors. Founded in 1898, this glass manufacturer was one of the leading companies in the Scandinavian modernism movement and is revered by collectors for the fine craftsmanship and innovation of its superlative art glass.
Orrefors began making art glass — works that, distinct from mass-production pieces, are made in small numbers to showcase the skills and talents of artists and artisans — in 1913. Two of the first artists hired by the firm were Simon Gate and Edward Hald, who worked initially in the organic Art Nouveau style, and later proved adept with the geometric imagery of the Art Deco period.
Hald and Gate worked closely with glassblowers to refine traditional glassmaking methods, creating new materials such as "graal" glass. In the graal technique a design made with colored glass is encased in layers of transparent glass, preserving the image while the overall glass form is worked and shaped. Orrefors won an international following when it presented such pieces in Paris in 1925 at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes — the design fair whose name gave rise to the term Art Deco.
In the years following that success, Orrefors attracted more dynamic and experimental artists such as Vicke Lindstrand and Edvin Ohrström, who joined the company in the 1930s. Lindstrand and Ohstrom worked with glassblowers to create the "ariel" glass technique, an innovation that produces deeper, richer imagery that seems to morph and flow as light is refracted by the glass.
As you will see from the items offered on 1stDibs, there is a special aesthetic quality to vintage Orrefors glass. Whether a vase or a set of wine goblets, the work of this premier Swedish company represents the apex of functional artistry.
Kosta Boda 1980s White Swirl Crystal Bowl, Modern Decorative Design
By Kosta Boda
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Heavy mouthblown Swedish modern solid crystal decorative vide poche by Kosta Boda manufactured in the 1980s. Soft semicircle shaped clear art glass bowl with encased layered white or...
Crystal
Holmegaard Art Glass Serving Bowl by Peter Svarrer, Denmark, 2003
By Peter Svarrer, Kosta Boda, Holmegaard, Orrefors
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Large soft shaped white art glass bowl with square edges from the Quadro series designed by Peter Svarrer for Holmegaard in 2003. Labelled on side. Beautiful condition. Denmark, 20...
Glass, Art Glass
Vicke Lindstrand Art Glass Vide-Poche Bowl, Kosta Boda, Sweden, 1950s
By Kosta Boda, Monica Backström, Flygsfors, Vicke Lindstrand, Orrefors
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Asymmetrical mouthblown art glass vide-poche bowl by Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta Boda in the 1950s. Solid, thick-walled, curved clear crystal art glass with dark stripes from base to ...
Glass, Art Glass
Mouth Blown Swedish Art Glass Bowl, Murano Sommerso Style, 1950s
By ASEA, Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mouth blown Swedish modern encased vivid blue art glass bowl in Murano Sommerso style. Round shape with large frills around the edge and multiple symmetrical waves decorating the ext...
Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass
Hana Machovska Mid-Century Modern Art Glass Bowl, Czech, 1960
By Hana Machovska, Murano 5, Mstisov, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Spectacularly beautiful midcentury modern handblown smooth, wavy, asymmetrical art glass bowl in heavy, solid glass by Czech designer Hana Machovska for Mstisov. Yellow, peach, green...
Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass
Large Olle Alberius for Rörstrand "Kurbits" Centerpiece Bowl, 1960s
By Rörstrand, Olle Alberius
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Swedish Mid-Century Modern handmade and hand-decorated centerpiece bowl in rustic chamotte clay by Swedish designer Olle Alberius (1926-1993). The decorations are inspired by the tra...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
Orrefors Sweden Crystal Orion Bowl by Lars Hellsten 1970s
By Lars Hellsten, Orrefors
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Orrefors Sweden Crystal Orion Bowl by Lars Hellsten circa 1970s. The Swedish crystal Orion bowl, designed by sculptor Lars Hellsten for Orrefors, showcases a flared form with a scalloped edge and is signed with a marked with needle-etched Orrefors at the base. Thick-walled clear crystal glass; the side edge with the opening rim with six indentations. This elegant six-sided petal bowl is a remarkable piece of art, reflecting exquisite attention to detail. Its unique design makes it a standout addition to any home, sure to capture the admiration of all who see it. Beautiful solid glass bowl...
Crystal
Orrefors, Lars Hellsten, Orion Crystal / Glass Bowl, Sweden, 20th Century
By Orrefors, Lars Hellsten
Located in Chatham, ON
Orrefors (Manufacturer) - Lars Hellsten (Designer) - Orion (Product Line / Name) - Vintage Scandinavian clear crystal / glass bowl - original applied sticker and etched signature to ...
Crystal
Orrefors 'Corona' Crystal Bowl, Vintage Swedish Design, Circa 1970
By Orrefors
Located in Raleigh, US
Orrefors Swedish ‘Corona’ Heavy Crystal Bowl This exquisite vintage crystal bowl from Orrefors, a renowned Swedish glass manufacturer, combines classic elegance with modern design. ...
Crystal
Lars Hellsten Orrefors Crystal Corona Bowl, Hand-Crafted in Sweden
By Orrefors, Lars Hellsten
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Orrefors Sweden Crystal Corona Bowl by Lars Hellsten circa 1960s. The Swedish crystal Corona bowl, designed by sculptor Lars Hellsten for Orrefors, showcases a flared form with a scalloped edge and is signed with a marked with needle-etched Orrefors at the base. Thick-walled clear crystal glass; the side edge with the opening rim with six indentations. Mid Century Modern glass bowl by Orrefors, circa 1960s, designed by Lars Hellsten. 6 petal bowl known as the Corona bowl. Vintage Modernist design Orrefors Sweden Art Glass Corona Bowl by Lars Hellsten. This elegant six-sided petal bowl is a remarkable piece of art, reflecting exquisite attention to detail. Beautiful solid glass bowl...
Crystal
Crystal glass decorative bowl by Orrefors, Sweden
Located in Tel Aviv-Yafo, IL
A timeless example of Scandinavian glass design- minimal, architectural, and quietly expressive.
Glass
Orrefors "Crown" Heavy Crystal Bowl
By Orrefors
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An interesting heavy crystal bowl by "Orrefors", Sweden. Signed with paper label.
Crystal
