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.
Vintage Orrefors Sweden Crystal Votive Candle Holder
By Orrefors
Located in New York, NY
1980's Scandinavian modern crystal votive candle holder. Hand crafted in Sweden and signed on bottom, Orrefors.
Crystal
Vintage Swedish Glass Candle Holder from Orrefors, 1970s
By Orrefors
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Swedish Glass Candle Holder from Orrefors, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark, I am s...
Glass
Vintage Tornado Series Crystal Glass Candleholder by Jan Johanssen for Orrefors
By Orrefors
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Tornado Series Crystal Glass Candleholder by Jan Johanssen for Orrefors, Sweden, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additiona...
Glass
$50 / item
Orrefors Heart Bowl Votive Small
By Orrefors
Located in Wilkes Barre, PA
The Heart Bowl/ Votive from Orrefors is shaped like a heart, with rounded edges giving it a delicate look. It represents affection and love, the perfect gift for someone you care abo...
Crystal
$50 / item
Orrefors Brilliance Votive
By Orrefors
Located in Wilkes Barre, PA
Brilliance Votive has intricate cuts forming angular facets which beautifully reflect the light. Add this votive by Orrefors Design to complete the set table and to deliver an elegan...
Crystal
Raspberry Glass Candleholders by Anne Nilsson for Orrefors, Set of 5
By Orrefors
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A set of 5 first series tea light candleholders designed by Anne Nilsson in 1992. These dates from the 1990s and was manufactured by orrefors in Sweden. M...
Glass
1970s Dansk Star Shaped Glass Candle Holder Pair
By Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a pair of Dansk star shaped glass votive candle holders, Set of two, Denmark, circa 1970s. Unmarked Dimensions: 2.25 H x 3.75 diameter- candle 1.25 diameter....
Art Glass
Orrefors Crystal Votive Candle Holder by Lars Hellsten, Sweden, 1970s
By Lars Hellsten, Orrefors
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Orrefors Sweden Crystal by Lars Hellsten circa 1970s. The Swedish crystal bowl designed by sculptor Lars Hellsten for Orrefors, marked with needle-...
Crystal
Rock Crystal Candleholder by Phoenix
Located in New York, NY
Multifaceted rock crystal candleholder. Created by Phoenix Gallery.
Rock Crystal
Rock Crystal Candleholder by Phoenix
Located in New York, NY
Multifaceted dark rock crystal candleholder. Created by Phoenix Gallery.
Rock Crystal
Kosta Boda Brick Votive Black
By Anna Ehrner
Located in Wilkes Barre, PA
The Brick votive from Kosta Boda has a square shape inspired by something so simple: a brick. Its style, which is created through the separation of color in the votive holder, gives ...
Crystal
1970s Sweden Kosta Boda Ice Glass Candle Holder Goran Warff
By Kosta Boda
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Sweden Kosta Boda Polar Ice Art Glass Votive Candle Holder by Goran Warff 3.25 h x 4 diameter Preowned original vintage condition See all images provided.
Art Glass
$538 / set
H 2.56 in W 4.73 in D 4.14 in
Vintage Modular Candleholders by Stoffi & Nagel for BMF, 1960s. Set of 8.
By Nagel & Stoffi, Bmf Nagel
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Modular Candleholders by Stoffi & Nagel for BMF, 1960s. Set of 8. Set of eight original vintage metal candle sticks designed by Fritz Nagel and Ceasar Stoffi for BMF Nagel, ...
Metal
Gucci Vintage Quail Candle Holder 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Munich, DE
Gucci Vintage quail teal light candle holders in silver plated metal and little sapphire glass eyes and signed with Gucci. Very good vintage condition.
Silver Plate
Mandruzzato Murano Glass Faceted Sommerso Votive Bowl
By Alessandro Mandruzzato
Located in Winter Park, FL
Murano faceted geode sommerso glass votive, or small caviar bowl, by Alessandro Mandruzzato. Cobalt blue and yellow cased glass with diamond cut exterior and smooth center. Circa 197...
Art Glass
Orrefors Raspberry Small Votive Clear
Located in Wilkes Barre, PA
Raspberry is a beloved Orrefors classic. The small candle holder in clear crystal has a design resembling a raspberry with its round ‘drupelets’ giving it a soft look. It is a beauti...
Crystal
$95 / set
H 2.5 in W 2.5 in D 2.5 in
Orrefors Sweden Crystal Glass Ice Cube Candle Holder by Goran Warff 1980
By Orrefors, Goran and Ann Warff
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Orrefors Sweden Crystal Glass Ice Cube Votive Candle Holder Design by Goran Warff - a Pair. Vintage 1980 Orrefors Crystal Cube candle holder designed by Göran Wärff. Crystal Votive C...
Crystal
$137 / set
H 2.76 in Dm 4.34 in
GIFT IDEA - Orrefors Anne Nilsson Pair Candle Holders Scandinavian Crystal Art
By Anne Nilsson, Orrefors
Located in Bochum, NRW
🎁 A Gift Worth Giving: Pair of Orrefors “Raspberry” Candle Holders by Anne Nilsson - A Winter Gift of Light Like frozen fruit glistening in Nordic twilight, this pair of Raspberry t...
Crystal
Mid-Century Modern Orrefors Crystal Candleholders
By Orrefors
Located in Bochum, NRW
Vintage Orrefors crystal candleholders, nice relief surface vegetal motif, Sweden, 1970s. Heavy cast crystal, makers label to the front. Excep...
Glass
Pair of Crystal Glass Votive Candleholders by Orrefors, Sweden, 1970s
By Orrefors
Located in Rijssen, NL
Pair of sparkling candleholders by Orrefors, Sweden, 1970. Illuminates beautifully. Also gorgeous on a holiday table! Simple and minimalistic. Measures "across and stands about" h...
Crystal
Sold
H 2 in W 4.5 in D 4 in
Orrefors Lightstone River Rock Votive Tealight Candle Holder by Lena Bergstrom
By Orrefors, Lena Bergström
Located in Topeka, KS
Interesting tealight votive candle holder from the Lightstone collection designed by Lena Bergstrom for Orrefors. This single tealight is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks...
Crystal