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.
Set of Six Post Modern Orrefors Clown Champagne Flutes by Anne Nilsson c. 1992
By Orrefors, Anne Nilsson
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful set of six Champagne Clown Flutes by Anne Nilsson for Orrefors, circa 1992. These iconic glasses are in excellent original condition, free of damage or repair, all are co...
Art Glass
Handmade Cast Concrete Bouton 'S' in Marble by UMÉ Studio, Set of Six
By UMÉ Studio
Located in Oakland, CA
Cast in one pour, this dish is formed like a button to showcase your everyday favorites. Hand-mixed with different minerals and natural pigments, the Bouton carries subtle textures o...
Concrete
Handmade Cast Concrete Bouton 'S' in Grey by UMÉ Studio, Set of Six
By UMÉ Studio
Located in Oakland, CA
Cast in one pour, this dish is formed like a button to showcase your everyday favorites. Hand-mixed with different minerals and natural pigments, the bouton carries subtle textures o...
Concrete
Tulip Set Of Six Champagne Flute by Aldo Cibic
By Aldo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Champagne flute made in blown in a mold glass. The Tulip collection is a glassware family by Aldo Cibic, who designed these pieces walking the line between classical and postmodern d...
Glass
Orrefors Nobel Champagne Flute
By Gunnar Cyren
Located in Wilkes Barre, PA
In 1991, Gunnar Cyrén designed the Nobel flute for the 90th anniversary of the Nobel Prize. The crystal champagne glass is hand-painted with details in real 21 karat gold. The bowl, which holds 6 oz, has a long and narrow shape to preserve the bubbles in sparkling beverages. To this day, Nobel Prize-winners and royalty use the champagne glasses from the Orrefors Nobel...
Crystal
$180Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 1 in W 15.5 in D 10 in
Post Modern / Memphis "Carnival" Platter by Kato Kogei for Fujimori
By Kato Kogei, Kenji Fujimori
Located in San Diego, CA
Post modern / Memphis "Carnival" platter / serving dish by Kato Kogei for Fujimori, circa 1980s. Wonderful colorful Memphis style! #1817.
Ceramic
Post-Modern Stainless Tea Kettle with Whistle by Michael Graves
By Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in San Diego, CA
A classic post-modern stainless steel tea kettle with whistle by Michael Graves, circa the 1980s. The piece is in good vintage condition and measures 11.5"W x 7.5"D x 12"H. Cool te...
Stainless Steel
Set of Six Crystal "Massena" Champagne Flutes by Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in San Diego, CA
Set of six crystal "Massena" champagne flutes by Baccarat of France, circa 2000s. The Massena glass showcases Baccarat’s meticulous craftsmanship. Deep bevel cuts are etched directl...
Crystal
$1,789 / set
H 2.56 in Dm 4.34 in
Modern Set of Six Porcelain Tea Cups Butterfly Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
By Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
These completely handmade porcelain cups with saucers are painted by hand with a charming hands-free modern decor. The set comes as a set of six hand painted cups with a butterfly decor...
Porcelain
$225 / set
H 3 in W 5 in D 4.5 in
Post-Modern Stainless Steel Cream and Sugar Set by Michael Graves for Alessi
By Michael Graves (b.1934), Alessi
Located in San Diego, CA
A classic post-modern stainless steel cream and sugar set designed by Michael Graves for Alessi, circa the 1980s. The set is in good vintage condition and measures 5"W x 4.5"D x 3"H...
Stainless Steel
Orrefors Helena Crystal Champagne Flutes Glasses Optic Swirl, Set of 4
By Orrefors
Located in Plainview, NY
Orrefors Helena Crystal Champagne Flutes – Optic Swirl, Set of 4 This sophisticated set of four Orrefors Helena champagne flutes exemplifies the timeless elegance and precision craft...
Crystal
$220Sale Price|20% Off
H 1 in W 16 in D 10.25 in
Post Modern Memphis Carnival Large Platter by Kato Kogei for Fujimori
By Kenji Fujimori, Kato Kogei
Located in San Diego, CA
Postmodern Memphis colorful "Carnival" platter / serving dish by Kato Kogei for Fujimori, circa the 1980s. Wonderful colorful Memphis style.
Ceramic
Orrefors Carat Champagne Flute 2-Pack
By Lena Bergström
Located in Wilkes Barre, PA
The Carat collection is based on a contemporary interpretation of the traditional cut glass for which Orrefors is world-renowned. Carat Champagne has a stem covered with the collecti...
Crystal