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.
Barovier Flooted Bowl Murano 1950's
By Barovier&Toso
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Beautiful and rare Barovier and Toso double flooted bowl. Gold flecks and stripe decoration, heavy, made ca' 1950. Quite large at 11.5" wide.
Art Glass
Vintage Finnish Tuuli Series Glass By Valto Kokko for Iittala, ca' 1970s Signed
By Valto Kokko
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
iittala Tuuli Wind Glass Vase Valto Kokko Finland, ca' 1970's, with original sticker intact. This vase features a modern, minimalist design, typical of the Scandinavian style. It is...
Art Glass
Vicke Lindstrand Large Bowl for Upsala Ekeby
By Upsala Ekeby, Vicke Lindstrand
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A gorgeous large decorative bowl designed by Vicke Lindstrand for Upsala Ekeby. Features a almost shell like motif with alternating raised areas. Would work well as a fruit bowl. Subtle hues of pink and light purple on the outside.
Ceramic
Unusual Murano Glass Bowl Ashtray Italy 1950's
By Salviati
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A charming glass bowl/ashtray with clear/cased glass and white/yellow tones. Unusual shape-Murano Italy made ca' 1950's.
Art Glass
Thorkild Olsen for Royal Copenhagen Crackle Glazed Bowl, Denmark
By Thorkild Olsen, Royal Copenhagen
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Thorkild Olsen bowl for Royal Copenhagen circa 1940s. Features a crackle glaze with orange terra-cotta interior and a gold-color gilded-rim. Marked on bottom. some wear to interior a...
Ceramic
A Tommi Parzinger Candy Dish
By Dorlyn Silversmiths, Tommi Parzinger
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A T.Parzinger designed candy dish in brass for Dorlyn.
Brass
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 Crystal Crown Bowl
By Orrefors
Located in Riverdale, NY
Orrefors Crystal Crown Bowl of heavy lead crystal from the 1970's. Perfect for candies or decoration. Signed Orrefors on base, likely designed by La...
Glass
Lars Hellsten Orrefors Crystal Corona Bowl, Hand-Crafted in Sweden
By Lars Hellsten, Orrefors
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
Orrefors Sofiero Cut Lead Crystal Fruit Bowl 20th C
By Orrefors
Located in Big Flats, NY
A crystal fruit bowl by Orrefors in the Sofiero pattern offers checkered diamond pattern with original label and signature as photographed, 20th century. Measures - 5.5'' H X 8'' W X 8'' D. A stunning Orrefors Sofiero cut lead crystal...
Crystal, Lead
Swedish Crystal Petal Bowl
By Orrefors
Located in Buchanan, NY
The elegant Swedish crystal petal bowl with six sides designed by Lars Hellsten for Orrefor is a stunning piece of art. The bowl is designed with exquis...
Art Glass
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
