Skip to main content

Orrefors Centerpieces

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.

to
2
2
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
362
101
57
50
41
Creator: Orrefors
Mona Morales-Schildt Orrefors Bowl, Blown Glass, Mid-Century, 1960
Mona Morales-Schildt Orrefors Bowl, Blown Glass, Mid-Century, 1960

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.

Category

1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Orrefors Centerpieces

Materials

Blown Glass

Orrefors center table in violet glass circa 1950
Orrefors center table in violet glass circa 1950

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.

Category

1950s Swedish International Style Vintage Orrefors Centerpieces

Materials

Glass

Related Items
Palms Center Table Serving Piece
Palms Center Table Serving Piece

Palms Center Table Serving Piece

$2,895 / item

H 27.56 in Dm 14.18 in

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.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Orrefors Centerpieces

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Amber Blown Glass Bowl or Centerpiece by Brockwitz, Germany
Art Deco Amber Blown Glass Bowl or Centerpiece by Brockwitz, Germany

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...

Category

1930s German Art Deco Vintage Orrefors Centerpieces

Materials

Blown Glass

1950s Mid-Century Blue 'Flower Petal' Biomorphic Murano Glass Bowl or Dish
1950s Mid-Century Blue 'Flower Petal' Biomorphic Murano Glass Bowl or Dish

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.

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Orrefors Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Mid-Century Modern Brass Bowl, Green Enameled Interior, 1960s Design
Mid-Century Modern Brass Bowl, Green Enameled Interior, 1960s Design

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 ...

Category

1960s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Vintage Orrefors Centerpieces

Materials

Brass

1960 Venezia  Mid-Century Modern Murano Green Blown Glass Bowl
1960 Venezia  Mid-Century Modern Murano Green Blown Glass Bowl

1960 Venezia Mid-Century Modern Murano Green Blown Glass Bowl

$1,796Sale 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...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Orrefors Centerpieces

Materials

Murano Glass

Wallace Baroque Silver Plate Bowl, 38 cm, Mid-20th Century, USA
Wallace Baroque Silver Plate Bowl, 38 cm, Mid-20th Century, USA

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Baroque Orrefors Centerpieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Brazilian Architectural Bowl Slatted Centerpiece Mid-Century like Oscar Niemeyer
Brazilian Architectural Bowl Slatted Centerpiece Mid-Century like Oscar Niemeyer

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...

Category

1950s Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Orrefors Centerpieces

Materials

Jacaranda

Art Nouveau Center Table Piece Green Opalescent Glass and Brass Jewel Frame
Art Nouveau Center Table Piece Green Opalescent Glass and Brass Jewel Frame

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...

Category

19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Orrefors Centerpieces

Materials

Brass

Flavio Poli Large Bowl Centerpiece Murano Glass for Seguso, 1960
Flavio Poli Large Bowl Centerpiece Murano Glass for Seguso, 1960

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...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Orrefors Centerpieces

Materials

Glass

Italian Murano Glass Bowl Centerpiece, Italy, 1950s
Italian Murano Glass Bowl Centerpiece, Italy, 1950s

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...

Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Orrefors Centerpieces

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Mid-Century Italian Shell-Shaped Brass Bowl, by Renzo Cassetti 1960s
Mid-Century Italian Shell-Shaped Brass Bowl, by Renzo Cassetti 1960s

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...

Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Orrefors Centerpieces

Materials

Brass

Previously Available Items
Three Rare  Per Sundberg "Soft" Large Vessels for Orrefors
Three Rare  Per Sundberg "Soft" Large Vessels for Orrefors

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...

Category

1980s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Orrefors Centerpieces

Materials

Blown Glass

Orrefors centerpieces for sale on 1stDibs.

Orrefors centerpieces are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of glass and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Orrefors centerpieces, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original centerpieces by Orrefors were created in the mid-century modern style in sweden during the 1960s. Prices for Orrefors centerpieces can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $550 and can go as high as $550, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $550.
Questions About Orrefors Centerpieces
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    If the Orrefors piece was made using the Ariel technique, then yes, the piece will be signed by the artist and will also have a serial number and date code to help specify the production date. Shop a collection of expertly vetted Orrefors designs from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    Orrefors is from Sweden. The glassworks opened in Orrefors, Småland, in 1898 and began producing drinking vases, drinkware and other home goods in 1913. Shop a range of Orrefors glassware on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023
    To identify Orrefors, look for a signature on the bottom of the piece. All pieces made after 1930 typically show the Orrefors name, a serial number and the word "Graal," which refers to the technique used to produce the maker's crystalware. You may also see the word "Sweden" or "Suède" on some pieces. Prior to 1947, Orrefors also indicated the year of production under the signature. If you're still uncertain of the authenticity, consider using the services of a certified appraiser. Find a variety of Orrefors pieces on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJune 30, 2023
    Yes, Orrefors is Swedish. The glassworks produces its luxury crystalware at a factory in a village called Orrefors, located in Småland, Sweden. It has operated there since 1898. On 1stDibs, shop a range of Orrefors crystal pieces from some of the world’s top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
    Whether Orrefors crystal is lead-free depends on its age. Since 1951, the brand hasn't used lead in its pieces. Earlier crystal ware may contain lead. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of Orrefors crystal glassware and decorative objects.