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.
Pair of Brass and Crystal Wall Lamps designed by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors
By Orrefors, Carl Fagerlund
Located in Voorburg, NL
Highly rare and sophisticated pair of brass wall lamps produced in Sweden in the 1970s. Designed by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors Glasbruk. Each lamp h...
Crystal, Brass
Red Table Lamps by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors, Sweden, 1960, Set of 2
By Carl Fagerlund, Orrefors
Located in Göteborg, SE
These table lamps by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors feature deep, vibrant red glass bases with a sleek, slightly tapered rectangular shape. The glass has a rich, intense color that ca...
Chrome
1960s Swedish Mid-Century Glass Table Lamp by Orrefors, Attributed to Gustav Lee
By Gustav Leek, Orrefors
Located in Västra Frölunda, SE
Gustav Leek for Orrefors (Attributed) – Mid-Century Table Lamp, 1960s Lampshade not included Striking mid-century table lamp attributed to Gustav Leek for Orrefors, Sweden, produced...
Blown Glass
Orrefors Designed Modernist Crystal Lantern
By Orrefors
Located in New York, NY
An Orrefors designed modernist crystal lantern. Textured crystal with patinated brass details.
Crystal, Brass
Vase 'Fabula' Designed by Per B. Sundberg for Orrefors, Sweden, 1998
By Per B. Sundberg, Orrefors
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase “Fabula” designed by Per B. Sundberg for Orrefors, Sweden. 1998. Paper and glass.
Glass, Paper
Blown Glass Vase by Ingeborg Lundin for Orrefors, 1957
By Ingeborg Lundin, Orrefors
Located in Sagaponack, NY
The "Apple" hand blown glass vase by Ingeborg Lundin. Signed on bottom, manufactured by Orrefors in Sweden, circa 1950s.
Blown Glass
Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors, Sweden
By Orrefors, Carl Fagerlund
Located in Göteborg, SE
Add a touch of timeless sophistication to your living space with this Mid-Century Modern Table Lamp designed by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors. A true representation of Scandinavian cra...
Brass
Table Lamp by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors, Sweden, 1960s
By Carl Fagerlund, Orrefors
Located in Göteborg, SE
This table lamp, designed by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors in the 1960s, features a clear, textured glass base with an intricate, droplet-like pattern. The exquisite craftsmanship of t...
Chrome
Cylinder crown in crystal and chrome by Orrefors for Tyringe, Sweden, 1960s
By Konsthantverk Tyringe 1, Orrefors
Located in Göteborg, SE
Very beautiful ceiling lamp made of crystal and chrome. The ceiling lamp is designed in an elegant way so that it is beautiful from any direction you look at it. When viewed from bel...
Crystal, Chrome
Red Facetted Crystal Glass & Brass Pendant by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors
By Orrefors, Carl Fagerlund
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
This red crystal glass pendant by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors gives an amazing effect in the dark The facetted cut glass distributed the light as ...
Crystal, Brass
Orrefors Dome Flush Mount, Sweden, 1960
By Orrefors, Carl Fagerlund
Located in Bronx, NY
Orrefors flush mount ceiling plate is cream white metal with six European candelabra sockets the shade is a dome shaped pressed bubble crystal and details in brass.
Crystal, Aluminum
Blue Crystal Orrefors Lamps Design by Carl Fagerlund Orrefors, Sweden, 1970
By Carl Fagerlund, Orrefors
Located in Bronx, NY
Blue Orrefors glass lamps with chrome fittings, signed Carl Fagerlund Orrefors. The glass body is 12" tall to the chrome fitting.
Crystal, Chrome
Mid Century Swedish Modern Glass Pendant Lamp by Orrefors
By Olle Alberius, Orrefors
Located in Detroit, MI
This vintage mid century Scandinavian modern glass hanging pendant light designed by Olle Alberius and manufactured by Orrefors was made in Sweden circa 1960. This premium quality la...
Metal
Table lamp in purple and clear glass by Orrefors, Sweden, 1960s
By Orrefors
Located in Göteborg, SE
Vintage Orrefors Table Lamp, 1960s This elegant table lamp by Orrefors, crafted in the 1960s, features a striking combination of purple and clear glass. The base showcases a vibrant...
Brass
Nils Landberg Red Expo Tulip Vase, Orrefors Glassworks, circa 1950s
By Nils Landberg, Orrefors
Located in New York, NY
Mid century glass artist Nils Landberg's Red Expo Tulip Vase was designed for Orrefors glassworks in the 1950's. This delicately tinted vase is hand blown glass signed with incised s...
Glass
Glass Vase 'Fabula' by Per B Sundberg for Orrefors, Sweden, 2003
By Orrefors, Per B. Sundberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase Fabula by Per B Sundberg for Orrefors, Sweden. 2003. Unique. H: 22 cm / 8 3/4''
Glass, Paper
$3,450
An Orrefors Crystal Lamp
By Orrefors
Located in New York, NY
An Orrefors crystal lamp in a beautiful, deep shade of red with brass fittings. More than a lamp this is a work of art that will add a touch of glamour to a space. There is one left ...
Crystal
White Vase designed by Per B. Sundberg for Orrefors, Sweden, 2004
By Orrefors, Per B. Sundberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase designed by Per B. Sundberg for Orrefors, Sweden. 2004. Glass. Dimensions: H: 22 cm/ 8 2/3" D: 20 cm/ 7 7/8" Unique. Signed Orrefors 9450-87 Per B Sundberg. Per B. Sundberg grew up in Huddinge, south of Stockholm, where he early showed interest in creative expression, including in textile. Sundberg applied and was accepted to the pottery division at Capellagården in Vickleby 1983-85. In the years 1985-1992 he studied glass and ceramics at Konstfack in Stockholm, with a break in 1988 to study at the Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle. Per B Sundberg altered the course of Swedish design in the 1990s with the advent of new techniques and the creation of experimental ceramics...
Glass
Nils Landberg Glass Tulip Vase for Orrefors, Sweden, 1957
By Nils Landberg, Orrefors
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase, tulip designed by Nils Landberg for Orrefors, Sweden, 1957. Glass. Measurements H: 44.5 cm/ 1' 6".
Glass
White & Orange Vase Designed by Per B. Sundberg for Orrefors, Sweden, 2003
By Orrefors, Per B. Sundberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase designed by Per B. Sundberg for Orrefors, Sweden. 2003. Glass. Dimensions: H: 27 cm/ 10 2/3" D: 18 cm/ 7" Unique. Signed Orrefors 9454-87 Per B Sundberg. Per B. Sundberg grew up in Huddinge, south of Stockholm, where he early showed interest in creative expression, including in textile. Sundberg applied and was accepted to the pottery division at Capellagården in Vickleby 1983-85. In the years 1985-1992 he studied glass and ceramics at Konstfack in Stockholm, with a break in 1988 to study at the Pilchuck Glass School in Seattle. Per B Sundberg altered the course of Swedish design in the 1990s with the advent of new techniques and the creation of experimental ceramics...
Glass
Engraved Ashtray for Orrefors
By Orrefors
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A substantial and sculptural engraved glass disc-form ashtray.
Glass
Glass and Brass Pendant 3 Lights by Orrefors Sweden, 1960
By Orrefors
Located in Paris, IDF
Glass and brass pendant 3 lights by Orrefors Sweden, 1960 Good overall condition.
Brass
Set of 11 Signed Orrefors Hand Painted Enamel Goblets W/ Whimsical Decoration
By Orrefors
Located in Great Barrington, MA
A wonderful set of 11 large goblets, made by Orrefors with panel cut and polished columnar stems. Each signed glass is individually hand painted with whimsical and playful "drawings"...
Blown Glass