By Hadeland, Willy Johansson
Located in Grythyttan, SE
This is a striking three-piece Scandinavian modern art glass set comprising a textured disk vase and a matching pair of low candleholders from the "Nautilus" series, designed by Willy Johansson for Hadeland Glassverk, Norway.
Design & Aesthetic
The series takes its name from the nautilus shell (Nautilidae) and ancient spiral ammonite fossils, celebrated in design for their natural logarithmic spirals and ribbed chambers. Willy Johansson translated these organic marine contours into sculptural Scandinavian glass, capturing both marine geometry and raw Nordic nature.
Each piece is cast in heavy, clear crystal defined by an exquisite tactile contrast: the dramatic, ruffled front and back faces—molded with deep radial fluting that evokes both a ribbed sea shell and the rippled texture of melting glacial ice—stand in sharp counterpoint to the flat, smooth, and high-polished outer edges. This juxtaposition between rugged, ice-like relief and pristine glossy borders intensifies the way the crystal catches, refracts, and scatters ambient light. The upright disk-shaped vase features a scalloped outer silhouette and stable flat base, perfectly paired with the two low candleholders designed to cradle standard taper candles.
About the Designer & Maker
Willy Johansson (1921–1993) was one of Norway’s most influential 20th-century glass designers. Born into a glassmaking family at Hadeland Glassverk, he trained at the Norwegian National Academy of Craft and Art Industry before serving as Hadeland's principal designer for several decades. His work earned numerous international honors, including Milan Triennale medals, celebrated for marrying functional purity with sculptural organic textures.
The Nautilus series by Willy Johansson for Hadeland Glassverk was designed and introduced in 1968, with production running primarily through the late 1960s and 1970s. In Hadeland’s sales catalogs from that era, the series was introduced in trend with the growing international popularity of heavy, textured "ice glass" and organic brutalist glass forms pioneered across Scandinavia during the late 1960s.
Specifications & Details
Creator: Willy Johansson (Norwegian, 1921–1993)
Manufacturer: Hadeland Glassverk (Norway)
Model/Series: Nautilus
Period: Circa 1960s–1970s
Style: Scandinavian Modern / Ice Glass / Brutalist
Materials: Molded and polished clear crystal
Set Includes: 1 disk vase, 2 candleholders (pair)
Dimensions:
Vase:
Height: 15 cm (approx. 5.91 in)
Width: 5 cm (approx. 5.91 in)
Depth: 5 cm (approx. 1.97 in)
Candlesticks (Each):
Diameter / Width: 7 cm (approx. 2.76 in)
Height: 2.7 cm (approx. 1.06 in)
Style:
Organic Modern / Biomorphic: The radial ribs and fluted contours directly reference natural fossil and marine forms (specifically the spiraling chamber structure of the nautilus shell). The heavy, raw cast crystal with rugged, deeply textured relief surfaces juxtaposed against sharp, flat polished edges aligns directly with the modernist Brutalist decorative movement popular during that era.
ABOUT CRYSTAL GLASS
Crystal glass is a high-quality type of glass that contains a significant amount of lead oxide. The presence of lead gives crystal glass several distinctive characteristics, including enhanced clarity, brilliance, and a resonant, melodious sound when struck. Some key features of crystal glass include:
Transparency and Clarity: Crystal glass is highly transparent and possesses exceptional clarity. This quality allows it to refract light beautifully and create brilliant, sparkling effects.
Weight and Feel: Crystal glass is heavier than regular glass due to its lead content. The added weight provides a luxurious and substantial feel when holding or using crystal glassware...
Category
1970s Norwegian Organic Modern Vintage Hadeland Sculptures
