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 Set of Two Art Glass “Robot” Ashtrays, Kosta Boda, Sweden, 1960s
By Erik Höglund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sweden, circa 1960s. These iconic pieces exemplify Höglund’s playful yet primitive aesthetic, featuring deeply cast figural motifs encased within thick, richly colored glass. The la...
Art Glass
$1,000
H 5.12 in Dm 2.76 in
Clear Glass miniature "People" Decanter by Erik Höglund, Boda, Sweden, 1950s
By Erik Höglund, Boda
Located in Hägersten, SE
"People" decanter designed by Erik Höglund. Rare small size. produced by Boda during the 1950s. Made from hand blown clear glass. Good vintage condition with age related wear and pat...
Blown Glass
Scandinavian Design Textured Glass Ashtray, Pukeberg Sweden 1960s
Located in Lisboa, PT
A sculptural mid-century ashtray produced by Pukeberg in Sweden during the 1960s, embodying the clarity and tactile sensibility of Scandinavian modern design. This piece stands out f...
Glass
Midcentury Crystal Ashtray from Kosta, 1960s
By Kosta Glasbruk 1
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Thick and heavy cigar ashtray. It is made from polished lead crystal. Signed and numbered beneath its base. The signature looks like EH so it was probably designed by Erik Hoglund.
Crystal
Kosta Boda "Sunflower" Ashtray Art Glass by Goran Warff
By Göran Wärff, Kosta Boda
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
A biomorphic art glass "Sunflower" ashtray by Göran Wärff for Kosta Boda made in Sweden, circa the 1980s. The ashtray is in good vintage condition with no chips or cracks.
Art Glass
Erik Höglund Mid-Century Signed Orange Footed Art Glass Vase for Bodą c. 1960s
By Erik Höglund
Located in Atlanta, GA
Vintage Swedish Footed Orange Art Glass Vase by Erik Hoglund for Boda (1932 - 1998). Engraved on bottom: "H 1671/193."Vintage Swedish Orange Footed Art Glass Vase by Erik Hoglund for...
Blown Glass, Glass, Art Glass
Murano Sommerso Art Glass Ashtray, Multicolor, Italy, Circa 1960s
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Superb Murano art glass ashtray, crafted using the sommerso technique, characterized by layers of colored glass encased within clear crystal. This piece features a freeform organic s...
Murano Glass
$300Sale Price|20% Off
H 8.5 in Dm 3.25 in
Small Figural Glass Decanter by Erik Hoglund for Boda Glassworks
By Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in San Diego, CA
A super rare small figural glass decanter by Erik Hoglund for Boda Glassworks of Sweden, circa 1960s. The decanter is in very good condition with the exception of a small chip on the...
Glass
$129Sale Price|30% Off
H 2.5 in Dm 6 in
Murano Bullicante Cranberry Sommerso Art Glass Ashtray, Italy 1960s
Located in Toronto, CA
A mid-century Murano art glass ashtray executed in the traditional bullicante technique, Italy, circa 1960s. This sculptural piece features a richly saturated cranberry sommerso body...
Murano Glass
Vintage ice glass ashtray by Kosta Boda, Sweden, 1970s
By Kosta Boda
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Amazing ice glass ashtray by Kosta Boda made in Sweden in the 1970s. The vintage ashtray is in excellent vintage condition. Dimensions: Width: 16...
Glass
Set of Midcentury Ashtrays, Czechoslovakia 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
Made from cast iron Set Ashtrays From Czechoslovakia in original condition with scratches and little damages
Glass
Mid-Century Czech Ashtray, Hand-Formed Art Glass, c. 1960s
By Josef Hospodka
Located in Praha, CZ
A stunning mid-century modern ashtray made of heavy Bohemian art glass using the sommerso technique. Hand-shaped in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s, this piece features bold, layered col...
Glass
Vintage ice glass ashtray by Kosta Boda, Sweden, 1970s
By Kosta Boda
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Amazing ice glass ashtray by Kosta Boda made in Sweden in the 1970s. The vintage ashtray is in excellent vintage condition. Dimensions: Width: 15 c...
Glass
Sold
H 15.36 in Dm 6.3 in
Crystal Glass Ashtray with Iron Stand by Erik Höglund for Boda, Sweden, 1960s
By Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Crystal glass ashtray with iron stand featuring female breast expression. Designed by Erik Höglund. Manufactured by Boda in Sweden during the 1950s.
Crystal, Iron
Sold
H 15.36 in Dm 6.3 in
Crystal Glass Ashtray with Iron Stand by Erik Höglund for Boda, Sweden, 1960s
By Boda Smide AB, Erik Höglund
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Crystal glass ashtray with iron stand featuring female breast expression. Designed by Erik Höglund, manufactured by Boda in Sweden during the 1950s.
Crystal, Iron
Sold
H 15.36 in Dm 6.3 in
Crystal Glass Ashtray with Iron Stand by Erik Höglund for Boda, Sweden, 1960s
By Boda Smide AB, Erik Höglund
Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län
Crystal glass ashtray with iron stand featuring female breast expression. Designed by Erik Höglund, produced by Boda in Sweden during the 1950s.
Crystal, Iron