Swedish glass master Erik Höglund reveled in unconventional techniques and practices — the Karlskrona native once drove glassblower Ruben Hjelm out of a studio at Boda after mixing potatoes into a crucible of molten glass to determine if he could generate bubbles in the finished object. Höglund always walked his own path, and his individuality and creative spirit defines the range of decorative objects, lighting fixtures and other works in glass that he created over the years.
Höglund was born in 1932 and studied drawing and sculpting at the Swedish School of Arts. Despite his limited experience with glass, Höglund joined Boda Glassworks when the manufacturer reached out to the school for the services of a young glass artist. He taught himself how to blow glass at night and found inspiration on travels through Europe as well as in his everyday life, creating sculptures that boasted exquisite color pairings and subdued, streamlined forms. He worked at Boda for 20 years.
The Swedish National Museum purchased Höglund’s early works for an exhibition of Swedish glass art, and in 1957, Höglund’s stunning and expressive objects and sculptures earned the Danish Lunning Prize — the highest honor for an up-and-coming Scandinavian artist. He garnered international acclaim and his colorful iron and glass candleholders, candelabras and vases went on display in New York City. His work is held in the collections of the Blekinge Museum, the National Museum of Stockholm and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.
Höglund left Boda in 1973 to establish his own smithery. He returned to glass design in the subsequent years, when the legendary innovator created richly colored and provocative works for Pukeberg, Åhus, Nový Bor and other manufacturers.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Erik Höglund decorative objects, lighting and dinnerware.
Erik Höglund for Boda – Set of Three Relief Glass Trays, Sweden, 1960s
By Erik Höglund
Located in Staffanstorp, SE
Set of three rectangular art glass trays designed by Erik Höglund for Boda Glasbruk, Sweden, 1960s. Beautiful colour palette in cobalt blue, petrol blue and deep forest green. Each t...
Art Glass
Swedish Midcentury Glass Bowl by Erik Höglund, Boda, Sweden, 1950s
By Erik Höglund, Boda
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful large glass bowl by Erik Höglund, made from clear glass in thick quality. Engraved with a pattern of fish and wawy decor with a playful expression. Erik Höglund was one of...
Blown Glass, Glass, Cut Glass
Midcentury Glass Bowl by Erik Höglund, for Boda Glassworks Sweden, 1960s
By Erik Höglund, Boda
Located in Bochum, NRW
Scandinavian Mid-Century Modern Art Glass Bowl by Erik Höglund Vintage glass bowl designed by Erik Höglund for Boda Glassworks in Sweden. Often features encapsulated air bubbles, cr...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Erik Höglund for Boda Glasbruk — Collection of 11 Vintage Glass Ashtrays, 1960s
By Erik Höglund
Located in Staffanstorp, SE
A rare and highly decorative collection of 11 sculptural ashtrays by the iconic Swedish glass artist Erik Höglund for Boda Glasbruk. Produced in the 1960s, these pieces are character...
Art Glass
Erik Hoglund / Engraved Bowl'Crystal' / Boda Glasbruk / 1960s
By Erik Höglund
Located in Shibuya-Ku, JP
An art piece carved into crystal glass using the engraving technique. The deep and rough sculpture is by Eric Högland himself. Engraved with 6 bir...
Art Glass
$3,906Sale Price|20% Off
Large Turbine Glass Bowl Signed by the Swedish Glass Artist Erik Höglund, 1980
By Erik Höglund
Located in Stockholm, SE
Large Turbine glass bowl by the Swedish artist Erik Höglund, 1980. Erik Höglund, 1932-1998, was a Swedish sculptor and glass artist, commonly known for his thick and bubbly glass ma...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Set of 5 1950s Art Glass Pieces by Erik Hoglund for Boda, Sweden
By Erik Höglund, Boda
Located in London, GB
A Set of 5 Art Glass Pieces designed in 1950s by Erik Hoglund (1932-1998) for the iconic Swedish glass factory Boda. Measures: Rectangular pieces 11 cm wide x 9 cm deep x 3 cm high, circular pieces 7 cm diameter x 3 cm high. Erik Höglund was studied at Konstfack in Stockholm, first decorative painting with Fritz Sjöström, then sculpture with Robert Nilsson and finally graphic design 1951-1952 with Harald Sallberg. Recruited by Erik Rosén, he was an associate designer at the Boda glassworks from 1953 to 1973 and, during this period, transformed Swedish art glass production by introducing new ideas about the appearance of glass products.. While in Boda, he also worked with pine, wrought iron and furniture. Later he also collaborated with other glassworks, such as Pukeberg, Lindshammar and Studioglas Strömbergshyttan. In 1968 he founded the design company Backström & Höglund Design AB together with the glass artist Monica Backström, with the mission to design furniture, household utensils and utensils for the public environment. Höglund was also a member of Vet Hut AB, which was founded in 1971 by ten designers from the Boda glassworks, in addition to the usual work: Erik Höglund, Monica Backström, Ann Wolff...
Glass
$1,511
H 16.93 in W 11.03 in D 5.71 in
hand wrought Iron and glass candelabra by Erik Höglund , Boda Smide, 1950s
By Erik Höglund, Boda Smide AB
Located in Hägersten, SE
Candelabra designed by Erik Höglund. Made by hand in iron at Boda smide and clear glass prisms from Boda glass. Three arms and six glass shards. Very good vintage condition with ligh...
Iron
$1,229
H 17.92 in W 14.18 in D 7.49 in
Midcentury Iron and Glass Candelabra by Erik Höglund, Boda Smide, Sweden, 1960s
By Boda Smide AB, Erik Hjorth
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful candelabra by Erik Höglund, made from wrought iron and glass. The rustic iron stem is adorned with four pear shaped glass medallions that bring rain drops on a bare tree to mind. Fits regular candles. Erik Höglund was one of Sweden’s foremost glass artists, whose innovative designs and glass making techniques revolutionized the scene of both art glass and serve ware in the 1950s. His bold and personal designs gave him and the glassworks Boda worldwide acclaim. Erik Höglund is considered the most influential Swedish glass artist of the 1950s and 1960s, alongside Ingeborg Lundin. Höglund was admitted to the prestigious school Konstfack at the age of 16, first studying to become an art teacher, but later changing to the sculptor’s line. He rebelled against many of what he considered to be conventional ideas at the school, and was almost expelled. His nonconformism would follow him through his career, aiding him in following his own path and repeatedly breaking new ground. Erik Höglund started working at Boda glassworks in 1953. At the time, Boda focused on producing high-quality serve ware in ethereal, cut-glass designs under the direction of Fritz Kallenberg. Höglund brought new perspectives and ideas, experimenting with the glass mass to give it a bubbly look and introducing colored glass and irregular finishes. These ideas were in direct opposition to the traditional ideas of what quality glass is, and Höglund was initially met with skepticism. He created rustic designs that allowed for everyday, multiple uses of glass, allowing it to be both functional and aesthetic. This down-to-earth IDEA appealed to both critics and collectors, although it took some years into the 1950s to win over the general public. In 1955, Erik Höglund’s glass was presented at the H55 Exhibition and one of his vases, whilst considered scandalous due to its suggestive decor, was purchased by the Swedish king. In 1957 he was awarded the Lunning Prize, its until then youngest awardee. Following that, his glass was exhibited in the Georg Jensen store on 5th Avenue in New York, making Erik Höglund and Boda world renowned. Erik Höglund was a master of all artistic trades. His glass murals...
Wrought Iron
$988
H 5.12 in Dm 2.76 in
Clear Glass miniature "People" Decanter by Erik Höglund, Boda, Sweden, 1950s
By Erik Höglund, Boda
Located in Hägersten, SE
"People" decanter designed by Erik Höglund. Rare small size. produced by Boda during the 1950s. Made from hand blown clear glass. Good vintage condition with age related wear and pat...
Blown Glass
Erik Höglund Mid-Century Signed Orange Footed Art Glass Vase for Bodą c. 1960s
By Erik Höglund
Located in Atlanta, GA
Vintage Swedish Footed Orange Art Glass Vase by Erik Hoglund for Boda (1932 - 1998). Engraved on bottom: "H 1671/193."Vintage Swedish Orange Footed Art Glass Vase by Erik Hoglund for...
Blown Glass, Glass, Art Glass
Erik Höglund for Boda, Amber Figural Art Glass Decanter, Sweden, 1950s
By Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare and highly sculptural amber glass decanter designed by Erik Höglund for Boda Glasbruk in the 1950s, exemplifying the designer’s iconic fusion of primitive expression and Scand...
Art Glass
Glass Vase by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda, Sweden
By Erik Höglund
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Glass vase made by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda, Sweden in the 1960s. Not signed. Small chips at the base.
Blown Glass
Erik Höglund Mid-Century Signed Orange Footed Art Glass Vase for Boda c. 1960s
By Erik Höglund
Located in Atlanta, GA
Vintage Swedish Orange Footed Art Glass Vase by Erik Hoglund for Boda circa 1960s. Original foil label: "BODA, Sweden, Erik Hoglund." Engraved on bottom "H1671/220." Full of his sig...
Art Glass
Vintage Erik Höglund Signed Art Glass Vase for Boda c. 1960s
By Erik Höglund, Kosta Boda
Located in Atlanta, GA
Vintage Swedish Bubble Glass Vase by Erik Hoglund for Boda Glassworks c. 1960s. Slate blue/gray glass. Some of the original label still attached. ...
Blown Glass
Erik Höglund Iron Chandelier with Blown Glass, Scandinavian, 1960s
By Erik Höglund
Located in San Francisco, CA
Erik Hoglund Iron chandelier with six arms for candles. Handmade strain and glass in shades of blue and clear from Kosta Boda. Erik Hoglund for Kost...
Iron
Vintage Erik Höglund Signed Ruby Red Swedish Art Glass Vase for Boda c. 1960
By Kosta Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in Atlanta, GA
Vintage Swedish Ruby Red Art Glass Vase by Erik Hoglund for Boda circa 1960. Engraved on bottom: "H 998/110." Full of his signature air bubbles in the design. Erik Höglund (1932-1...
Blown Glass
$4,476
H 42.13 in Dm 18.51 in
Erik Höglund Candelabra in Glass and Wrought Iron by Boda Glasbruk, 1970s
By Erik Höglund
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
This rare hanging candelabra, designed by Erik Höglund and produced by Boda Glasbruk in Sweden, is a powerful expression of mid-century Scandinavian craftsmanship—an artful synthesis...
Wrought Iron
$924 / set
H 3.94 in W 3.35 in D 3.15 in
Swedish glass book stands by Erik Höglund Boda, Sweden, 1960s
By Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Beautiful sculptural book stands designed by Erik Höglund. Produced by Swedish company Boda suring the 1960s. Made in frosted glass. Signed on bottom.
Glass
Erik Höglund, Bowl, Glass, Sweden, 1960s
By Erik Höglund
Located in High Point, NC
A blown glass bowl designed by Erik Höglund and produced by Boda, Sweden, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 7.0" Height x 8.0" Diameter All items ship from High Point, North C...
Glass
Sold
H 3.54 in Dm 7.08 in
Mid-century modern signed art glass bowl in a bright blue. Erik Höglund Boda.
By Erik Höglund, Boda
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A fantastic and rare glass bowl made and signed by Erik Höglund, the master of architectural glass, a part of Swedish Modern Abstract Art Glass from th...
Art Glass
Erik Hoglund / Engraved Bowl 'Crystal' / Boda Glasbruk / 1960s
By Erik Höglund
Located in Shibuya-Ku, JP
An art piece carved into crystal glass using the engraving technique. The deep and rough sculpture is by Eric Högland himself. There are 5 fish ca...
Art Glass
Kosta Boda, Erik Höglund, Fifteen Art Glass, 1960s, Sweden
By Erik Höglund, Boda
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This collection containing fifteen pieces of art glass pieces was manufactured at Boda and designed by Erik Höglund in Sweden during 1960-1970s. The color varies as well as the shap...
Art Glass