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Orrefors Bottles

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.

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Creator: Orrefors
Vintage Mid-Century Orrefors Crystal Decanter with Stopper
By Orrefors
Located in Soquel, CA
Elegant Mid-Century Modern vintage crystal decanter with stopper by Orrefors (Swedish, founded 1898), c. 1960's. Engraved signature to base Orrefors HM 2498 - this particular style was by Edvard Hall. Includes original red Orrefors Sweden sticker with logo. "Orrefors HM 2498" etched into base. Measures 11.5" H x 3" W x 3" D. Orrefors Glassworks was founded in 1898 on the same site where ironworks operations had been run since 1726. In the same year that the glassworks was founded, a hot shop was built for making technical, medical and household glass and stemware to make use of waste wood and labour. Glass now replaced the less profitable ironworks operations. In 1913, Consul Johan Ekman from Gothenburg became the new owner of Orrefors Glassworks. He appointed Albert Ahlin as manager of the glassworks and this marked the start of a new era. In 1914, Orrefors started manufacturing crystal products, and as well as cut crystal according to purchased patterns and samples, Orrefors made art glass using the overlay technique with etched decoration. The new management quickly saw that artists were needed in the business, so Simon Gate was employed in 1916 and was joined by Edward Hald a year later. That same year, Gate and Hald made their first tentative attempts at figure engraving. They also experimented with the new innovative graal (grail) glass technique that was developed at Orrefors by the master glassblower Knut Bergqvist. The major successes were achieved a few years later at the Gothenburg Exhibition in 1923, and in particular at the Paris Exhibition in 1925. The thin engraved glass was admired by the surrounding world, and both Orrefors and the artists themselves were awarded the Grand Prix. The successes of Simon Gate and Edward Hald in Paris in 1925 constituted the start of the long Orrefors tradition of creative design closely combined with genuine and innovative craftsmanship. Since then, new designers and skilled glassmakers have continued in the spirit of Gate and Hald. Vicke Lindstrand and Edvin Öhrström with the new glass technique called Ariel in the 1930s. Sven Palmqvist with Kraka and Ravenna in the 1940s. And in the 1950s with Fuga, which, along with Nils Landberg’s slender tulip-shaped glass “Tulpan” and Ingeborg Lundin’s apple-shaped vase “Äpplet”, are now seen as symbols of the renaissance of Swedish design. The 1960s are associated with Gunnar Cyrén’s Pop glass, and in the 1970s, Eva Englund, Olle Alberius, Lars Hellsten and Jan Johansson as well as Cyrén worked at the glassworks. Since the 1980s, designers such as Anne Nilsson, Erika Lagerbielke, Helen Krantz, Matz Borgström, Per B Sundberg, Martti Rytkönen, Lena Bergström, Ingegerd Råman, Malin Lindahl and Efva Attling...
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Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Orrefors Bottles

Materials

Crystal

Fine Crystal Perfume Bottle With Faceted Stopper By Orrefors, Sweden. c1980's
By Orrefors
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Beautiful and pure, crystal clear perfume bottle by Orrefors, Sweden Unusually faceted, cut crystal stopper completes this most appealing piece Circa 1980's Height with stopper 3.5 ...
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Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Orrefors Bottles

Materials

Crystal

Vintage Swedish Glass Bottle from Orrefors
By Orrefors
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Swedish Glass Bottle from Orrefors, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Glass Brand: Orrefo...
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20th Century Swedish Orrefors Bottles

Materials

Glass

Orrefors Sweden Thick Blown and Handmade Art Glass Perfume Bottle Heart Stopper
By Orrefors
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage clear signed Orrefors blown and handmade art glass perfume bottle with a heart shaped stopper. Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Vessel made in Sweden circa 1980s. Heavy perfum...
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Orrefors Bottles

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass

Ingeborg Lundin Glass Apple Vase, Orrefors Glassworks, 1957
By Ingeborg Lundin, Orrefors
Located in New York, NY
Mid century glass artist Ingeborg Lundin's glass apple vase was made for Orrefors Glassworks. It's a hand blown clear glass vase designed for Milan Triennial Exhibition in 1957. Orre...
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20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Orrefors Bottles

Materials

Blown Glass

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Orrefors Vase
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Vase Apple Designed by Ingeborg Lundin for Orrefors Sweden, 1955
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Ingeborg Lundin Orrefors Applet Expo Series 1964
By Orrefors
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Ingeborg Lundin (1921-1991) for Orrefors Applet from Expo Series 1964. Signed.
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French c. 1900 5-pc. Baccarat Crystal Toiletry Bottles with Faceted Stoppers
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Known for their luxurious designs in crystal, Baccarat has created some of the most highly sought after pieces in the world. This Art Nouveau, 5-pc. toiletry set reflects all the a...
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Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Orrefors Bottles

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Murano Italian aquamarine blue perfume bottle with stopper, modern
Located in London, GB
Rich aquamarine perfume bottle cased in clear Murano glass with clear glass collar and aqua marine ball stopper.
Category

2010s Italian Orrefors Bottles

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Baccarat Crystal Decanter with Faceted Stopper, 20th Century
By Baccarat
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite crystal decanter is an authentic piece crafted by the renowned Baccarat glassworks, dating back to the 20th century. Showcasing exceptional craftsmanship, this decante...
Category

Early 20th Century French Orrefors Bottles

Materials

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Elegant Baccarat Crystal Decanter with Stopper
By Baccarat
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This elegant Baccarat crystal decanter is a testament to the timeless sophistication and craftsmanship for which the brand is renowned. Made in the 20th century, this exquisite piece...
Category

Early 20th Century French Orrefors Bottles

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Orrefors Edward Hald Graal Fish Art glass vase from the 1940s
By Orrefors
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Orrefors Edward Hald Graal Fish Art glass vase from the 1940s Beautiful Scandinavian designed Orrefors Graal crystal vase, a master piece created by the renowned Swedish designer Edw...
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20th Century Swiss Mid-Century Modern Orrefors Bottles

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1960's Swedish Crystal Vase by Orrefors
By Orrefors
Located in Paris, FR
20th-century vintage modernist crystal vase signed by Swedish makers Orrefors. This chic statement decorative piece is highlighted by its modern design and thick curved cut. Signed ...
Category

20th Century Swedish Modern Orrefors Bottles

Materials

Crystal

Baccarat 'Rohan' Engraved Crystal Decanter with Stopper
By Baccarat
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A stunning crystal wine decanter with stopper from the renowned house of Baccarat, part of the exquisite 'Rohan' collection. Decorated in a wide band across its wide bowl with a recu...
Category

20th Century French Orrefors Bottles

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Art Glass Perfume Bottle with Stopper, Signed Mdina, Malta, circa 1970s
By Mdina
Located in Glasgow, GB
This vintage Mdina Glass perfume bottle was crafted in Malta during the 1970s and reflects the studio’s distinctive approach to art glass design. The bottle features a square body fo...
Category

1970s Maltese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Orrefors Bottles

Materials

Art Glass

Set of Five Puthod Cristalli Lead Crystal Perfume Bottles Silver Plated Stopper
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Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful 20th century Italian collection of five perfume bottles, all with a nice silver plated flower pattern stopper. Nice addition to your vanity room or just for your collection...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Orrefors Bottles

Materials

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Previously Available Items
Vintage Decanter and Stopper by Orrefors, ca 1960s
By Orrefors
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage crystal decanter and stopper made in the 1960s by Orrefors. The bottle labeled and in very good condition, the stopper has a co...
Category

1980s German Modern Vintage Orrefors Bottles

Materials

Crystal

Pair of Clear Glass Orrefors Decanters by Vicke Lindstrand Mid-Century Modern
By Orrefors, Vicke Lindstrand
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome pair of Mid-Century Modern clear blown glass decanters designed by Vicke Lindstrand for Orrefors. They are in wonderful vintage condition with no chips, cracks, or chiggers ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Orrefors Bottles

Materials

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Orrefors bottles for sale on 1stDibs.

Orrefors bottles are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of glass and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Orrefors bottles, although black editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original bottles by Orrefors were created in the mid-century modern style in sweden during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider bottles by Kosta Boda, and Holmegaard. Prices for Orrefors bottles can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $295 and can go as high as $6,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $427.

Creators Similar to Orrefors

Questions About Orrefors Bottles
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    If the Orrefors piece was made using the Ariel technique, then yes, the piece will be signed by the artist and will also have a serial number and date code to help specify the production date. Shop a collection of expertly vetted Orrefors designs from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    Orrefors is from Sweden. The glassworks opened in Orrefors, Småland, in 1898 and began producing drinking vases, drinkware and other home goods in 1913. Shop a range of Orrefors glassware on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023
    Yes, Orrefors is Swedish. The glassworks produces its luxury crystalware at a factory in a village called Orrefors, located in Småland, Sweden. It has operated there since 1898. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Orrefors crystal pieces from some of the world’s top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023
    To identify Orrefors, look for a signature on the bottom of the piece. All pieces made after 1930 typically show the Orrefors name, a serial number and the word "Graal," which refers to the technique used to produce the maker's crystalware. You may also see the word "Sweden" or "Suède" on some pieces. Prior to 1947, Orrefors also indicated the year of production under the signature. If you're still uncertain of the authenticity, consider using the services of a certified appraiser. Find a variety of Orrefors pieces on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
    Whether Orrefors crystal is lead-free depends on its age. Since 1951, the brand hasn't used lead in its pieces. Earlier crystal ware may contain lead. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Orrefors crystal glassware and decorative objects.

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