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.
Lars Hellsten Orrefors Crystal Bowl, Six-Sided Design, 1960s Sweden
By Orrefors, Lars Hellsten
Located in Bochum, NRW
Orrefors Corona is a six-sided, flower-shaped crystal bowl created by Lars Hellsten for Orrefors in the mid-20th century. The bowl, which is known for its playful shape and light-ref...
Crystal
Expo Art Glass Plate by Olle Alberius for Orrefors, Sweden 1977
By Orrefors, Olle Alberius
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Expo Art Glass Plate by Olle Alberius for Orrefors, Sweden 1977 This striking art glass plate is part of the 'Tree of Live' series designed by Swedish artist Olle Alberius (1926–199...
Art Glass
Large Vintage Swedish Glass Plate from Orrefors, 1970s
By Orrefors
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Vintage Swedish Glass Plate from Orrefors, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional info...
Glass
Vintage Swedish Eden Glass Plate from Orrefors, 1970s
By Orrefors
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Swedish Eden Glass Plate from Orrefors, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Glass Br...
Glass
Sven Palmqvist Sommerso Red Glass Bowl / Vide Poche for Orrefors, Sweden ca 1947
By Orrefors, Sven Palmquist
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Elegant mid-century art glass bowl designed by Sven Palmqvist for Orrefors, Sweden, circa 1947. Handblown in a luminous red-to-clear gradient, the piece features a soft triangular fr...
Blown Glass, Sommerso
$158Sale Price|59% Off
H 0.89 in Dm 7.87 in
Ceramic plate by Olle Alberius from the 'Kurbits' Series for Rörstrand, Sweden.
By Rörstrand, Olle Alberius
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A very nice little vintage ceramic plate, made by the very well-known designer Olle Alberius, known as "Kurbits" from Rörstrand, Sweden. Alberius ceramic always has a special feeling, the shapes are simple, but the glazing is just stunning, the pattern is slightly abstract, yet knowing that Alberius has used a traditional style of folklore decoration known as Kurbits, one can see where he got his inspiration from. All off his objects are individual since they are hand painted. The price includes free shipping. The color is just stunning a dark blue color has been used against a pale gray background and there are also some dark brown and purple details as well as black details. It is around 20cm (7.87") in diameter and 2,5cm (0.98") high. It is in a very good condition. Between the years 1957 - 1965, Olle Alberius worked in Strömstad as a designer at SYCO keramik, where he created a large number of dishes, figurines, vases and bowls. He later works at Rörstrand, and between 1963 and 1965 he was employed at both SYCO keramik and Rörstrand. Alberius was attached to Rörstrand's Porcelain Factory in 1963–1971, where he worked partly with handicrafts and partly with tableware in flint and feldspar porcelain...
Ceramic
Orrefors Crystal Votive Candle Holder by Lars Hellsten, Sweden, 1970s
By Orrefors, Lars Hellsten
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Orrefors Sweden Crystal by Lars Hellsten circa 1970s. The Swedish crystal bowl designed by sculptor Lars Hellsten for Orrefors, marked with needle-...
Crystal
Six Clear Olle Alberius Designed Vases From Orrefors
By Olle Alberius
Located in Doraville, GA
DESCRIPTION Six Orrefors clear glass, hand blown, Flora vases designed by Olle Alberius in the 1970’s. The vases have a unique flower frog molded into the base. Born in 1926 in Sweden, glass designer and ceramicist Olle Alberius trained in ceramics at the Stockholm College of Art, Crafts and Design from 1952–56. Over the course of his career, he worked in ceramic design at Syco and Rörstrand (1963–71), and, beginning in 1971, designed pieces for renowned Swedish glassware...
Blown Glass
$2,304
H 11.62 in W 7.88 in D 3.75 in
Abstract Glass Sculpture by Sven Palmqvist for Orrefors, Sweden, 1960s
By Orrefors, Sven Palmquist
Located in Milan, IT
Massive glass block work by Sven Palmqvist for Orrefors. Original wood base, signed.
Glass, Wood
$919
H 2.96 in W 5.32 in D 5.32 in
Vicke Lindstrand for Orrefors “Platina” Sculptural Art Glass Bowl, Sweden 1950's
By Orrefors, Vicke Lindstrand
Located in Stockholm, SE
A sculptural and substantial crystal bowl designed by Vicke Lindstrand for Orrefors in the 1950s, from the celebrated Platina series. The form is a softly rounded square with a deep...
Art Glass
Orrefors "Crown" Heavy Crystal Bowl
By Orrefors
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An interesting heavy crystal bowl by "Orrefors", Sweden. Signed with paper label.
Crystal
$250Sale Price|40% Off
H 3 in W 5.75 in D 5.75 in
Orrefors 'Corona' Crystal Bowl, Vintage Swedish Design, Circa 1970
By Orrefors
Located in Raleigh, US
Orrefors Swedish ‘Corona’ Heavy Crystal Bowl This exquisite vintage crystal bowl from Orrefors, a renowned Swedish glass manufacturer, combines classic elegance with modern design. ...
Crystal
$270
H 3.63 in W 6.13 in D 4.75 in
Orrefors Sven Palmquist Glass "Selena" Canoe Bowl Mid-Century Modern, Sweden
By Orrefors
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Rare circa 1950s unusually shaped canoe studio bowl, modernist design by world famous "Kraka" & "Ravenna" designer Sven Palmquist, made at Swedish glass maker Orrefors. Hand engraved...
Art Glass
Mid-Century Modernist Sculptural Crystal Bowl Signed Orrefor's
By Orrefors
Located in New York, NY
This elegant mid-century modernist crystal bowl, circa 1960, showcases the artistry of Orrefors, Sweden. The sculptural design beautifully captures and refracts light, highlighting t...
Crystal
Murano Sommerso Aqua Green Art Glass Bowl, Ashtray or Vide-Poche
Located in Barcelona, ES
Beautiful and colorful Aquan green Murano glass bowl with flower shape. Italy, 1960s. It has a gradient of shades of green to clear glass and organic shapes. A highly decorative pi...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Signed Orrefors Crystal Bowl Dish Keep All with Wavy Cut Design, Sweden
By Orrefors
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Elegant clear crystal bowl by Orrefors, Sweden, featuring a sophisticated wavy cut design that captures and reflects light beautifully. This heavy, multifaceted bowl serves as a styl...
Crystal
$195 / set
H 1.75 in Dm 5 in
Orrefors Sweden Crystal Discus Votive Candle Holder by Lars Hellsten a Pair
By Orrefors, Lars Hellsten
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Designed by Lars Hellsten, this beautiful crystal tea light votive was created for the World Athletics Championships in 1995. Inspired by its namesake, the votive is reminiscent of t...
Crystal
Orrefors Crystal Fleur Crown Bowl by Jan Johansen Sweden 1970s
By Orrefors
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Orrefors Crystal Fleur Crown Bowl by Jan Johansen Sweden 1970s. Vintage crystal bowl in the Fleur pattern designed by Jan Johansson, an artist who began work for Orrefors in the 1970s. The design is reminiscent of a blooming flower or a crown. In excellent condition with no chips or cracks. Signed etched "Orrefors”. Measures: 4.75” x 4.74” x 3.25”. The Swedish crystal bowl...
Crystal
Orrefors Crystal Triangle Platter / Charger, Sweden, 20th Century
By Orrefors
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Orrefors Crystal Triangle Platter / Charger, Sweden, 20th Century. Signed to the bottom.
Crystal
Sold
H 1.58 in Dm 9.45 in
Mid-Century Modern Large Scandinavian Glass Orrefors Ingeborg Lundin Vessels
By Orrefors, Ingeborg Lundin
Located in Bochum, NRW
Mid-Century Modern Large Scandinavian glass bowl and dish / round tray designed by Ingeborg Lundin for Orrefors. Light blue and white spiral d...
Blown Glass
Midcentury Glass Platter by Sven Palmquist
By Orrefors, Sven Palmquist
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Beautiful, large glass platter by Sven Palmquist. Heavy quality, pure design in intense petroleum blue.
Glass
Scandinavian Modern Crystal Lotus Bowl by Designer Lars Hellsten
By Orrefors, Lars Hellsten
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Scandinavian Modern or organic modern crystal lotus flower bowl by sculptor/designer, Lars Hellsten, circa late-20th century, Sweden. Great as a standalone bowl or as vid...
Crystal