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.
Orrefors Sweden Crystal Jar, 1970s Design, Decorative Object
By Orrefors
Located in Roma, IT
Orrefors sweden jar is a decorative object designed by Orrefors Sweden, in the 1970s. Crystal vase, 7,5 x 11 cm. Very good conditions
Crystal
$156Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.75 in Dm 3.75 in
Orrefors Crystal Votive Candle Holder by Lars Hellsten, Sweden, 1970s
By Orrefors, Lars Hellsten
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
Glass Vase Designed by Per B. Sundberg for Orrefors, Sweden, 1990s
By Orrefors, Per B. Sundberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase designed by Per B. Sundberg for Orrefors, Sweden. 1990's. Glass. Dimensions: H: 28 cm/ 11'' 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...
Glass
$290
H 4.93 in Dm 4.73 in
Swedish Grace Crystal Glass Vase Stella Polaris by Vicke Lindstrand for Orrefors
By Vicke Lindstrand, Orrefors
Located in Grythyttan, SE
The Orrefors Stella Polaris Mouth Blown Crystal Vase, designed in 1936 by Vicke Lindstrand for Orrefors, is an exquisite example of vintage art glass. ...
Crystal
$250Sale Price|40% Off
H 3 in W 5.75 in D 5.75 in
Orrefors 'Corona' Crystal Bowl, Vintage Swedish Design, Circa 1970
By Orrefors
Located in Raleigh, US
Orrefors Swedish ‘Corona’ Heavy Crystal Bowl This exquisite vintage crystal bowl from Orrefors, a renowned Swedish glass manufacturer, combines classic elegance with modern design. ...
Crystal
Lars Hellsten for Orrefors Corona Crystal Bowl, Sweden, 1970s
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A sculptural vintage Corona crystal bowl, designed by Lars Hellsten for Orrefors in Sweden during the 1970s. The design is immediately recognizable by its substantial circular base a...
Crystal
Vintage Orrefors Crystal Bowl, Footed Design, Cut Glass, Sweden, 1960
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A refined vintage crystal bowl by Orrefors, distinguished by its softly rounded form, short circular foot, and deeply cut vertical decoration. The repeated faceted cuts rise from the...
Crystal
Vintage Orrefors Crystal Fleur Vase, Signed, Sweden
By Orrefors, Jan Johansson
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A tapered crystal vase with 10 point fleur design, acid etched script signature. It retains the original manufacturer's silver metallic label and is signed. CREATOR Sign...
Crystal
Orrefors Sweden Crystal Orion Bowl by Lars Hellsten 1970s
By Lars Hellsten, Orrefors
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Orrefors Sweden Crystal Orion Bowl by Lars Hellsten circa 1970s. The Swedish crystal Orion bowl, designed by sculptor Lars Hellsten for Orrefors, showcases a flared form with a scalloped edge and is signed with a marked with needle-etched Orrefors at the base. Thick-walled clear crystal glass; the side edge with the opening rim with six indentations. This elegant six-sided petal bowl is a remarkable piece of art, reflecting exquisite attention to detail. Its unique design makes it a standout addition to any home, sure to capture the admiration of all who see it. Beautiful solid glass bowl...
Crystal
Edvin Öhrström Hand-Blown Glass Bowl, Orrefors, Sweden, 1970s
By Edvin Öhrström, Orrefors
Located in Bochum, NRW
🎁 Gift Idea: Edvin Öhrström for Orrefors - Sculptural Hand-Blown Glass Bowl with Organic Form A masterwork of Scandinavian glass artistry, this sculptural bowl was designed by Edvi...
Crystal
Vintage Orrefors Crystal Bowl, Scalloped Design, Sweden, 1970s
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A beautifully sculptural vintage crystal bowl by Orrefors, Sweden, distinguished by its elegant scalloped rim and deeply cut vertical facets that create exceptional brilliance and op...
Crystal
Vase Apple Designed by Ingeborg Lundin for Orrefors Sweden, 1955
By Ingeborg Lundin, Orrefors
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vase Apple Designed by Ingeborg Lundin for Orrefors Sweden, 1955 Large Orrefors 'The Apple' EXPO vase, designed by Ingeborg Lundin, Sweden, 1955, free-blown colorless glass with yel...
Art Glass
Smokey Orrefors Crystal Glass Vase, Sweden, 1960
By Nils Landberg, Orrefors
Located in Bronx, NY
Orrefors crystal glass vase drop shaped inner is an earthy amber smokey surrounded by a thick layer of clear glass. 1960 Nils landberg
Crystal
Collection of Orrefors Primula Glass Containers by Jacob Bang
By Orrefors
Located in Chicago, IL
Collection of Orrefors Primula glass containers by Jacob Bang.
Glass