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 Orrefors, Mona Morales-Schildt
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
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
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
$530
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
$3,526
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
Italian Murano Glass Bowl Centerpiece, Italy, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Splendid and heavy centerpiece in Murano artistic glass. The bowl is a true piece of art created by the master's hand - Produced in Murano, Italy, in the 1950s. On the underside ther...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$1,790Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.69 in Dm 19.69 in
1960 Venezia Mid-Century Modern Murano Green Blown Glass Bowl
Located in Brescia, IT
This elegant Venetian item is a green blown glass totally hand made in 1960 circa by the master Murano craftmenships. It has an elegant shape and its color is a jade green. It is an...
Murano Glass
Lalique Hand-Crafted Crystal Centerpiece Bowl, Mid-20th Century
By Lalique
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully crafted Lalique decorative centerpiece bowl with exterior design details. The piece is in great condition. Minor shelves wear. Maker's mark underneath. The centerpiece bo...
Crystal
$352
H 1.38 in W 8.27 in D 6.7 in
Mid-Century Italian Shell-Shaped Brass Bowl, by Renzo Cassetti 1960s
By Renzo Cassetti
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning Italian mid-century shell shaped bowl or ashtray in solid brass. This delightful piece was designed in Italy in the 1970s by Renzo Cassetti Italia. This charming item featu...
Brass
French Majolica Fruit Bowl Arrangement Table Centerpiece, circa 1950
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely vintage French barbotine majolica bowl of fruit and vibrant green leaves in a blue and white bowl, circa 1950. This fine arrangement is hand crafted and hand painted, well m...
Ceramic, Majolica
$5,520Sale Price|20% Off
H 3.75 in Dm 14.5 in
Brazilian Architectural Bowl Slatted Centerpiece Mid-Century like Oscar Niemeyer
By Joaquim Tenreiro, Oscar Niemeyer
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
Mid-Century Modern Brass Bowl, Green Enameled Interior, 1960s Design
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
Italian Glass Bowl or Centerpiece, Mid-Century Modern
By La Murrina
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
1950 Italian glass bowl or centerpiece, Mid-Century Modern, in the tradition of the great Italian manufacturer as Venini.
Glass
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