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.
Mona Morales Schildt for Orrefors Bowl
By Mona Morales-Schildt, Orrefors
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Mona Morales Schildt for Orrefors bowl or vase. Beautiful design of 1/2 round circles polished all around. Signed bottom.
Blown Glass
Orrefors center table in violet glass circa 1950
By Orrefors
Located in Rio De Janeiro, RJ
Wonderful center table in violet glass by Orrefors circa 1950.
Glass
Monumental 18" Antonio da Ros for Cenedese Italian Murano Glass Bowl
By Antonio da Ros, Cenedese
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Monumental 18" large and rare signed red 'Scavo' glass bowl or centrepiece designed by Antonio Da Ros (1936-2012) for Cenedese Vetri Murano glass circa 1984. Made of red or orange Murano art glass...
Murano Glass
Large Lalique Crystal Bowl Centerpiece
By René Lalique
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully hand crafted Lalique centerpiece decorative bowl in a wide open "V" form shape. The bowl is embellished by engraved frosted doves and large scrolls design details. Maker'...
Crystal
$1,442Sale Price|60% Off
H 4.34 in W 11.42 in D 8.67 in
Flavio Poli Large Bowl Centerpiece Murano Glass for Seguso, 1960
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Flavio Poli
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful Flavio Poli bowl centerpiece for Seguso Vetri D'Arte made in the 1960s from the Sommerso collection. This large bowl has eye-catching sunset colors, with pink glass submerg...
Glass
Palms Center Table Serving Piece
Located in Paris, FR
Serving piece palms center table with 2 plates and base in enameled porcelain. With solid bronze structure and details in vintage finish. Elegant piece.
Bronze
Silver Plate Bowl
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Elegant large silver plate bowl for Your table: for desserts or fruit, to prepare a table center piece for Christmas. It's very beautiful ! with a g...
Silver Plate
Orrefors "Crown" Heavy Crystal Bowl
By Orrefors
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An interesting heavy crystal bowl by "Orrefors", Sweden. Signed with paper label.
Crystal
Midcentury Petite Green Enameled Brass Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Striking brass and green enameled petite bowl, 1960s. The brass contrasts beautifully with the green enameled interior, this piece is stunning at different angles. Has a nice weight ...
Brass
$3,186
H 3.23 in W 9.06 in D 5.63 in
Antonio da Ros for Cenedese Italian Red Scavo Vintage Murano Glass Bowl c. 1980s
By Cenedese, Antonio da Ros
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Large and rare signed red and clear 'Scavo' rhombus shaped glass bowl, centrepiece or vide-poche designed by Antonio Da Ros (1936-2012) for Cenede...
Murano Glass
Round Wall Relief or Center Table in the Manner of Francois Briot
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Beautiful round wall relief plate or center table tray, depicting allegoric scenes of the months of the year, decorated in figures, flowers and carto...
Metal
Large Fruit Bowl
By Brandimarte
Located in Milan, IT
This large fruit bowl is part of the brand's Ceselli line, which features ornately chiseled decorative motifs. This bowl is perfect as a display objec...
Silver
$2,250
H 12 in Dm 15.75 in
Wonderful Lorin Marsh Rigadin Bowl Clear Murano Glass Centerpiece Large Bowl
By Lorin Marsh
Located in Roslyn, NY
Wonderful Lorin Marsh Rigadin bowl clear Murano hand blown art glass centerpiece large bowl Item#: 4771, made in Italy Measurements: 15" diam...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Modern Silver and Brass Bowl
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Midcentury silvered metal and brass bowl set on a hammered sculptural metal stand with four legs and brass ball feet. The hammered bowl with sleek lines has two brass handles for ser...
Brass
Three Rare Per Sundberg "Soft" Large Vessels for Orrefors
By Orrefors, Per B. Sundberg
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $2,800....Stunning blown satin glass vases by noted glass artist Per Sundberg called "Soft", circa 1989-1990 and created for Sweden's Orrefors. Beautiful satin finish wi...
Blown Glass