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.
Rookwood Art Deco 1930 XXX 6096 Matte Blue Basketweave Handled Vase 6"
By Rookwood Pottery Co.
Located in Dayton, OH
Art Deco Rookwood bud vase featuring a basketweave style motif with handles. Circa 1930. Shape 6096. Dimensions: 3.75" x 3.25" x 6" (Width x Depth x Height)
Pottery
Emilio Robba Sculptor of Flowers Purple Boutique Vase Urn Sculpture 12"
By Emilio Robba
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare French Emilio Robba dark purple lacquered boutique vase - round form with a hammered texture and tapered, angled opening trimmed with a trio of gold painted lines. Weighted base...
Lacquer
Swedish Strombergshyttan Crystal Large Wave Edge Flower Tulip Vase 10"
By Strombergshyttan
Located in Dayton, OH
Large vintage Swedish Strombergshyttan crystal flower / tulip vase with flared mouth and waving edge. Polished pontil. Dimensions: 8.25" x 10" (Diameter x Height)
Crystal
Antique 1904 XIX Rookwood Arts Nouveau Blue Matte Glaze Bud Vase 6"
By Rookwood Pottery Co.
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 1904 Rookwood XIX arts and crafts / art nouveau period bud vase featuring a matte blue glaze with floral / peacock feather design. Dimensions: 3" x 6.25" (Diameter x Height)
Pottery
Rookwood Antique Art Deco Elizabeth Barrett 1924 XXIV 2557 Bud Vase 5"
By Rookwood Pottery Co.
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Rookwood bud vase by Elizabeth Barrett. It features Art Deco styling with wide opening, high handles and blue glaze. Circa 1924 XXIV. Shape 2557. Marked with Elizabeth Ba...
Pottery
Antique 1930 Rookwood 2135 Turquoise Greek Key 50 Year Anniversary Vase 6"
By Rookwood Pottery Co.
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Rookwood bud vase featuring Art Deco styling with geometric Greek Key design in teal / turquoise glaze. Circa 1930 XXX. Shape 2135. Marked with the special 50 year anniver...
Pottery
Stunning Large Cobalt blue Vase by Otto Brauer, Holmegaard / Denmark
By Holmegaard
Located in Buffalo, NY
Iconic blue glass Scandinavian bottle or vase designed by Otto Brauer for Holmegaard, made in Denmark 1959 -1960s.
Art Glass
1970s Mid-Century Blue Vase by Ind. Vetraria Valdarnese. Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Vintage spherical vase manufactured in Italy by the prestigious IVV (Industria Vetraria Valdarnese). Expertly blown from high-quality glass, this piece features an exceptionall...
Blown Glass
Mid-Century German Minimalist Blue Ceramic Vase from Melitta, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century German Minimalist Blue Ceramic Vase from Melitta, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Mater...
Ceramic
Sapphire Blue Vase by Per Lutken
By Holmegaard, Per Lutken for Holmegaard
Located in San Francisco, CA
Sapphire blue footed vase with narrow mouth by Per Lutken for Holmegaard. Etched with Holmegaard on base.
Glass
Cobalt Blue Glass Vase by Empoli, Italy, Cased Design, 1970s, 25 cm
By Empoli
Located in Glasgow, GB
A vibrant cobalt blue glass vase from Empoli, Italy, crafted circa 1970s. Formed in cased glass, the vase features an inner layer of opaque white glass overlaid with luminous cobalt blue, creating depth and vivid colour saturation. Tall and slender, it presents a subtly flared rim above a pedestal base, all seamlessly moulded as one piece. Measuring 25 cm in height with a diameter of 7.5 cm. In good condition for its age and use, showing one minuscule nip to the outer lip, visible upon close inspection. An elegant example of vintage Empoli glass...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Danish Modern Blue Gulvase by Otto Brauer for Holmegaard
By Otto Brauer, Holmegaard
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
This is a very nice cobalt blue version of the super cool and stylish Gulvase by designer Otto Brauer for Holmegaard, Denmark
Blown Glass
