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 Orrefors Bowl, Blown Glass, Mid-Century, 1960
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
Mid-Century Belgian Glass Plateau
Located in High Point, NC
The vivid hues and liquid lines of blown art glass create an unmissable accent. Made in Belgium circa 1960, expressive glasswork forms a bold silhouette. Organic and abstract, remini...
Blown 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
$1,441Sale 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 Flavio Poli, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
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
1950s Mid-Century Blue 'Flower Petal' Biomorphic Murano Glass Bowl or Dish
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
A beautiful Mid-Century Modern Vintage Italian biomorphic shaped and five lipped Murano light blue glass bowl or ashtray with folded rims.
Murano Glass
$540
H 5.91 in W 14.97 in D 10.63 in
Art Deco Amber Blown Glass Bowl or Centerpiece by Brockwitz, Germany
By Brockwitz
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Germany by Brockwitz, 1930s - 1940s. This rare bowl / centerpiece is made in amber blown glass with parts that are satined. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show sl...
Blown 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
Wallace Baroque Silver Plate Bowl, 38 cm, Mid-20th Century, USA
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
$4,395Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.25 in Dm 17.25 in
Theo and Susan Harlander Brooklin Pottery Monumental Mid-Century Cubist Bowl
By Susan and Theo Harlander
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Studio pottery Mid-Century Modern bowl by Theo and Susan Harlander of Brooklin Pottery, Brooklin, Ontario. This bowl was designed with a whimsical cub...
Pottery
1950s Large Danish Orange Centerpiece Fruit Table Bowl Mid-Century Vintage
By Krenit
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A wonderful 1950s mcm pop of color for any interior with a real design heritage behind it, by Herbert Krenchel for Krenit of Denmark. Massive at 15 inches in diameter.
Enamel, Steel
$5,520Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.75 in Dm 14.5 in
Brazilian Architectural Bowl Slatted Centerpiece Mid-Century like Oscar Niemeyer
By Oscar Niemeyer, Joaquim Tenreiro
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Made in Brazil, a hand-crafted footed centerpiece sculpture, truly an mid-century masterpiece. A fragile, brass belted, curved Jacaranda (Brazilian Rosewood) slat design. A rare find...
Jacaranda
$990
H 12.4 in W 14.96 in D 12.6 in
Mid-Century Modern Handblown or Cup Sculptural Translucent Bowl with Silver Base
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern handblown sculptural translucent four flecks bowl with silver base.
Silver
$1,681
H 11.82 in Dm 7.88 in
Art Nouveau Center Table Piece Green Opalescent Glass and Brass Jewel Frame
By Émile Gallé
Located in Antwerp, BE
An original in style of Gallé large hand blown green glass bowl with bronze stand, circa 1900. The hand-blown chartreuse colored iridescent glass bowl and wavy form having a textured...
Brass
Three Rare Per Sundberg "Soft" Large Vessels for Orrefors
By Per B. Sundberg, Orrefors
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