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Erik Höglund Figurative Sculptures

Swedish, 1932-1998

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

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Creator: Erik Höglund
Erik Höglund for Boda, Amber Figural Art Glass Decanter, Sweden, 1950s
Erik Höglund for Boda, Amber Figural Art Glass Decanter, Sweden, 1950s

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...

Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Erik Höglund Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Swedish glass book stands by Erik Höglund Boda, Sweden, 1960s
Swedish glass book stands by Erik Höglund Boda, Sweden, 1960s

Swedish glass book stands by Erik Höglund Boda, Sweden, 1960s

By Erik Höglund, Boda

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.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Erik Höglund Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Swedish glass book stands by Erik Höglund Boda, Sweden, 1960s
Swedish glass book stands by Erik Höglund Boda, Sweden, 1960s

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.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Erik Höglund Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Large Sculpture by Erik Höglund Carved and Painted Pinewood, Sweden, 1950s
Large Sculpture by Erik Höglund Carved and Painted Pinewood, Sweden, 1950s

Large Sculpture by Erik Höglund Carved and Painted Pinewood, Sweden, 1950s

By Erik Höglund

Located in Odense, DK

A powerful and expressive large-scale sculpture by Erik Höglund (1932-98), one of Sweden’s most influential postwar artists. Hand-carved from solid pinewood and boldly painted, this ...

Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Erik Höglund Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Pine

13 Scandinavian Modern Glass Pieces by Swedish Avant Garde Designer Erik Höglund
13 Scandinavian Modern Glass Pieces by Swedish Avant Garde Designer Erik Höglund

13 Scandinavian Modern Glass Pieces by Swedish Avant Garde Designer Erik Höglund

By Boda Nova, Erik Höglund

Located in Stockholm, SE

Scandinavian Modern 13 glass pieces by the Swedish Enfant Terrible Erik Höglund for Boda. Between 7-14 cm diameter. These pieces can be displayed as sculptures in a window or used as...

Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Erik Höglund Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Vintage Scandinavian Troll Figurines Bookends in Ice Glass by Höglund & Bergdala
Vintage Scandinavian Troll Figurines Bookends in Ice Glass by Höglund & Bergdala

Vintage Scandinavian Troll Figurines Bookends in Ice Glass by Höglund & Bergdala

By Erik Höglund

Located in Esbjerg, DK

A cute couple of heavy ice glass figurines or bookends (Flat backs) The female Troll with long hair was designed by Peter Johansen and manufactured by Bergdala Glasbruk in Sweden dur...

Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Erik Höglund Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Erik Höglund Unique Bird Sculpture in Cut and Painted Wood, Sweden, 1950s
Erik Höglund Unique Bird Sculpture in Cut and Painted Wood, Sweden, 1950s

Erik Höglund Unique Bird Sculpture in Cut and Painted Wood, Sweden, 1950s

By Erik Höglund

Located in Odense, DK

A rare and highly expressive unique bird sculpture by Erik Höglund, executed in cut and hand-painted pine wood, Sweden, circa 1950s. This striking vertical figure embodies Höglund’s ...

Category

1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Erik Höglund Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Pine

Swedish glass book stands by Erik Höglund Boda, Sweden, 1960s
Swedish glass book stands by Erik Höglund Boda, Sweden, 1960s

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.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Erik Höglund Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Glass

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By Erik Hjorth, Boda Smide AB

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...

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1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Erik Höglund Figurative Sculptures

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hand wrought Iron and glass candelabra by Erik Höglund , Boda Smide, 1950s
hand wrought Iron and glass candelabra by Erik Höglund , Boda Smide, 1950s

hand wrought Iron and glass candelabra by Erik Höglund , Boda Smide, 1950s

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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...

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Clear Glass miniature "People" Decanter by Erik Höglund, Boda, Sweden, 1950s
Clear Glass miniature "People" Decanter by Erik Höglund, Boda, Sweden, 1950s

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...

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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. ...

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Vintage Erik Höglund Signed Ruby Red Swedish Art Glass Vase for Boda c. 1960
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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...

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Björn Selder Modernist Patinated Bronze Sculpture, Sweden 1970s
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Previously Available Items
Glass Sculptural Bookends Boda Sweden Ice Man & Glass Head by Erik Hoglund
Glass Sculptural Bookends Boda Sweden Ice Man & Glass Head by Erik Hoglund

Glass Sculptural Bookends Boda Sweden Ice Man & Glass Head by Erik Hoglund

By Boda, Erik Höglund

Located in San Diego, CA

Two different sculptural pieces that work great together. These vintage bookends are Mid Century symbols that give a nod to Tiki references. Ice like and full of personality. Great p...

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1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Erik Höglund Figurative Sculptures

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Erik Hoglund / Glass Relief in Iron Frame / Boda Glasbruk / 1960s
Erik Hoglund / Glass Relief in Iron Frame / Boda Glasbruk / 1960s

Erik Hoglund / Glass Relief in Iron Frame / Boda Glasbruk / 1960s

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Located in Shibuya-Ku, JP

An object made of solid glass framed with black iron. A glass sculpture that expresses Höglan's unique worldview, which is said to have been influenced by indigenous culture and Mexi...

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Erik Hoglund / Glass Relief in Iron Frame / Boda Glasbruk / 1960s
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Erik Hoglund / Glass Relief in Iron Frame / Boda Glasbruk / 1960s

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Located in Shibuya-Ku, JP

An object made of solid glass framed with black steel. The surface of the rare purple glass block is embossed with a relief of a naked baby pulling a playground equipment...

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Vintage Scandinavian Troll Figurines, Bookends in Ice Glass by Bergdala, Kosta
Vintage Scandinavian Troll Figurines, Bookends in Ice Glass by Bergdala, Kosta

Vintage Scandinavian Troll Figurines, Bookends in Ice Glass by Bergdala, Kosta

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Located in Esbjerg, DK

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Pair of Glass Face Bookends or Sculptures by Erik Höglund, Sweden, 1960s
Pair of Glass Face Bookends or Sculptures by Erik Höglund, Sweden, 1960s

Pair of Glass Face Bookends or Sculptures by Erik Höglund, Sweden, 1960s

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Located in St. Louis, MO

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Glass Face Sculpture by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda, 1960
Glass Face Sculpture by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda, 1960

Glass Face Sculpture by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda, 1960

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Located in Rochester, NY

Glass face sculpture mounted in original black enameled iron frame with Stand by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda – Sweden, circa 1960. Marked Boda on ...

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Glass Face Sconce by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda
Glass Face Sconce by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda

Glass Face Sconce by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda

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Located in New York, NY

Art Glass face mask by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda. The glass mask fits into a black metal frame, with a candle holder, which mount to the ...

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Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Erik Höglund Figurative Sculptures

Pair of Figural Glass Sculptures by Erik Höglund, Sweden, 1960s
Pair of Figural Glass Sculptures by Erik Höglund, Sweden, 1960s

Pair of Figural Glass Sculptures by Erik Höglund, Sweden, 1960s

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Located in Stockholm, Stockholms län

Pair of figural glass sculptures, bookends designed by Erik Höglund. Produced at Boda glassworks in Sweden during the 1960s. Marked with label....

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1960s Erik Hoglund Glass Sculpture by Boda
1960s Erik Hoglund Glass Sculpture by Boda

1960s Erik Hoglund Glass Sculpture by Boda

By Erik Höglund

Located in New York, NY

Fabulous Swedish Figural Glass Sculpture by Erik Hoglund circa 1960s. Very cool chunky design that is much stronger to the naked eye. Signed Boda.

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1960s Swedish Vintage Erik Höglund Figurative Sculptures

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Erik Höglund figurative sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Erik Höglund figurative sculptures 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 Erik Höglund figurative sculptures, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original figurative sculptures by Erik Höglund were created in the Scandinavian Modern style in sweden during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider figurative sculptures by Johnny Mattsson, and Gustavsberg. Prices for Erik Höglund figurative sculptures can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $287 and can go as high as $3,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,350.