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.
Smokey Orrefors Crystal Glass Vase, Sweden, 1960
By Orrefors, Nils Landberg
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
Green Orrefors Crystal Glass Vase, Sweden, 1950
By Orrefors, Nils Landberg
Located in Bronx, NY
Orrefors crystal glass vase inner is an dark green surrounded by a thick layer of clear glass. 1960 Nils landberg
Crystal
Blue Nils Landberg for Orrefors Crystal Glass Vases, Sweden, 1950s
By Nils Landberg, Orrefors
Located in Bronx, NY
Pair of Blue Orrefors crystal glass vasesdeep blue core in a layer of clear glass. Height is 7.5" and 9" Nils Landberg 1950s signed Orrefors.
Crystal
Nils Landberg, "Tulip Glass" Vase, Blown Glass, Sweden, 1950s
By Orrefors, Nils Landberg
Located in High Point, NC
A colored blown glass "Tulip Glass" Vase designed by Nils Landberg and produced by Orrefors, Sweden, 1950s. From the "Expo" production series.
Blown Glass
Midcentury Nils Landberg Orrefors Tall Expo Vase, circa 1950s
By Orrefors, Nils Landberg
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Orrefors Expo tall tulip vase designed by Nils Landberg. Wonderful glass with exceptional red color that collaborates with the clear glass. A beaut...
Art Glass
$1,513 / set
H 9.85 in W 5.12 in D 2.37 in
Mid-Century Modern Nils Landberg Orrefors Set of 2 Vases, circa 1950s, Sweden
By Orrefors, Nils Landberg
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Art glass vases produced by orrefors , and designed by famous Nils Landberg. Wonderful glass with exceptional color that collaborates with the clear glass. These two are a great loo...
Art Glass
Nils Landberg, Sommerso Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1950s
By Nils Landberg, Orrefors
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass Sommerso vase designed by Nils Landberg and produced by Orrefors, Sweden, 1950s
Blown Glass
$653 / set
H 7.28 in W 5.11 in D 3.14 in
A trio Crystal Lucid Drop glass vases by Sven Palmqvist for Orrefors Sweden
By Orrefors, Sven Palmquist
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A trio of sculptural vintage glass vases designed by Sven Palmqvist and produced by Orrefors, Sweden, during the 1960s. Executed in high-quality clear crystal, the vases features an...
Glass, Sommerso
Nils Landberg, Sommerso Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1950s
By Orrefors, Nils Landberg
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass Sommerso vase designed by Nils Landberg and produced by Orrefors, Sweden, 1950s
Glass
Nils Landberg Vase for Orrefors, 1965
By Orrefors, Nils Landberg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning handblown, art glass 'Sommerso' vase designed by Nils Landberg and produced by Orrefors, Sweden, 1960s in blue-grey hues.
Glass, Art Glass
Nils Landberg, Sommerso Vase, Glass, Sweden, 1950s
By Orrefors, Nils Landberg
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass Sommerso vase designed by Nils Landberg and produced by Orrefors, Sweden, 1950s
Blown Glass
Nils Landberg for Orrefors Sommerso Vase Smoke Grey and Clear, 1950s
By Orrefors, Nils Landberg
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Scandinavian Modern sommerso vase in smoke grey and clear glass was designed by Nils Landberg for Orrefors Sweden in 1950s. The vase is clearly signed on the bottom with engraved "...
Art Glass, Glass, Sommerso
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
$290Sale Price|46% Off
H 7.88 in W 3.15 in D 2.56 in
Glass vase, Nils Landberg for Orrefors, Sweden 1950´s
By Orrefors, Nils Landberg
Located in Västra Frölunda, SE
Beautiful glass vase designed by Nils Landberg for Orrefors, Sweden. The vase has a smoked dark grey colour wonderfully combined with clear glass. Perfect for a single flower or in...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Vintage Sommerso Glass Vase by Nils Landberg for Orrefors
By Nils Landberg, Orrefors
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Sommeroso vase by Nils Landberg for Orrefors. smoked greenish gray color. signed on underside.
Glass
Green Nils Landberg for Orrefors Crystal Glass Vase, Sweden, 1950s
By Orrefors, Nils Landberg
Located in Bronx, NY
Green Orrefors crystal glass vase by a thick layer of clear glass. Nils Landberg 1950s signed Orrefors.
Crystal