Orrefors Animal Sculptures

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.

Creator: Orrefors

1940's, Orrefors Edward Hald Graal Fish Art Glass Vase Sculpture Made in Sweden

$1,160Sale Price|20% Off

1940's, Orrefors Edward Hald Graal Fish Art Glass Vase Sculpture Made in Sweden

By Edward Hald, Orrefors

Located in San Diego, CA

Wonderful Grall fish art glass vase Edward Hald for Orrefors and dates form the 1940's to early 1950's. Great design and form. Signed on the bottom by the artist. In very nice condit...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

1940's Orrefors Edward Hald Graal Fish Art Glass Vase Sculpture Made in Sweden

$1,280Sale Price|20% Off

1940's Orrefors Edward Hald Graal Fish Art Glass Vase Sculpture Made in Sweden

By Orrefors, Edward Hald

Located in San Diego, CA

Wonderful Grall fish art glass vase Edward Hald for Orrefors and dates form the 1940's to early 1950's. Great design and form. Signed on the bottom by the artist. In excellent condit...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Mid-Century Modern Squirrel Crystal Sculpture by Olle Alberius, 1970s

$395

Mid-Century Modern Squirrel Crystal Sculpture by Olle Alberius, 1970s

By Orrefors, Olle Alberius

Located in Bochum, NRW

Mid-Century Modern squirrel crystal sculpture by Olle Alberius for Orrefors. Very beautiful, massive crystal sculpture designed by Olle Alberius and made by Orrefors. Signed under t...

Category

1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Crystal

Graal Fish Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors

$1,850

H 5.5 in Dm 5 in

Graal Fish Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors

By Edward Hald

Located in New York, NY

Stunning graal fish vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors...a true form of art with multiples layers of glass. Unbelievable craftsmanship and a tru...

Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Sculpture by Alessio Tasca, Italy, 1970s

$1,481

H 6.89 in W 10.24 in D 8.27 in

Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Sculpture by Alessio Tasca, Italy, 1970s

By Alessio Tasca

Located in Brussels, BE

Mid-Century Modern Ceramic Sculpture by Alessio Tasca, Italy, 1970s

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Early Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden 1948

$1,755

H 5.52 in Dm 5.32 in

Early Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden 1948

By Edward Hald, Orrefors

Located in Berghuelen, DE

Early Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden 1948 A rare vase of the Graal series designed by Edward Hald for Orrefors Sweden in 1938. Clear glass decorated with underw...

Category

1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Vintage Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden 1963

$1,925

H 5.91 in Dm 4.14 in

Vintage Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden 1963

By Orrefors, Edward Hald

Located in Berghuelen, DE

Vintage Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden 1963 A vintage vase of the Graal series designed by Edward Hald for Orrefors Sweden in 1938. Clear and green glass decora...

Category

1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Mid-Century Modern Lucite Rabbit Sculpture by Abraham Palatnik, 1970s

$750

H 5.5 in W 6 in D 1.25 in

Mid-Century Modern Lucite Rabbit Sculpture by Abraham Palatnik, 1970s

By Abraham Palatnik

Located in Winter Park, FL

A Mid-Century Modern lucite Op Art rabbit sculpture by Abraham Palatnik. Original label on bottom: Made in Brazil. Abraham Palatnik (1928-2020) is a Brazilian artist and inventor who...

Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Lucite

Massive Ariel Vase by Olle Alberius for Orrefors, Sweden, 1987

$2,165

H 5.52 in Dm 6.7 in

Massive Ariel Vase by Olle Alberius for Orrefors, Sweden, 1987

By Orrefors, Olle Alberius

Located in Berghuelen, DE

Massive ariel vase by Olle Alberius for Orrefors, Sweden 1987 A heavy art glass vase of the Ariel Cloud series designed by Olle Alberius for Orrefors, Sweden in 1978. Blue and lightblue glass with a very thick crystal clear glass overlay internaly decorated with a pattern depicting clouds, wind and rain. Signed with company lable and incised signature 'Orrefors 939590 Olle Alberius Ariel Gallery 7-87' on the bottom. Weight 5,25 kilos (11.2 lb). A rare piece of Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian glass design. Olle Alberius (1926 - 1993) was a Swedish glass designer...

Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Orrefors Swedish Ribbed Glass Anemone Vase

$275

H 4.75 in Dm 4.5 in

Orrefors Swedish Ribbed Glass Anemone Vase

By Orrefors

Located in New York, NY

Orrefors curved ribbed crystal anemone vase with large open rim that opens out to highlight the flowers within. Sweden, late 20th Century.

Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Crystal

Mid 20th Century Glass "Sea Horse Vase" by Edward Hald for Orrefors

$2,930

H 5.52 in W 5.52 in D 5.52 in

Mid 20th Century Glass "Sea Horse Vase" by Edward Hald for Orrefors

By Orrefors, Edward Hald

Located in London, GB

An attractive mid 20th Century hand blown glass vase internally decorated with an underwater landscape including fish and a seahorse swimming around a plant strewn seabed, exhibiting...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Post-Modern Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass

Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden

$1,785

H 8.86 in Dm 5.52 in

Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden

By Orrefors, Edward Hald

Located in Berghuelen, DE

Fish Graal vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden A large and heavy vase of the Graal series designed by Edvward Hald for Orrefors Sweden in 1938. Clear ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Great Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden 1957

$1,595

H 4.53 in Dm 4.73 in

Great Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden 1957

By Edward Hald, Orrefors

Located in Berghuelen, DE

Nice Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden 1957 Item e6741 A heavy vase of the Graal series designed by Edvward Hald for Orrefors Sweden in 1938. Clear and green glas decorated with underwater flora and fishes, overlayed with a thick clear glass layer. This example dates to 1957. Signed with: 'Orrefors Graal No 471 M Edward Hald'. An authentic piece of Midcentury Modern Scandinavian glass design. Edward Hald (1883 – 1980) is one of the well-known Swedish glass artists who have worked for Orrefors. After studying in Leipzig, he completed his artistic training with Henri Matisse in Paris. The famous Graal glass is one of the first masterpieces of Edward Hald, which he developed together with Simon Gate and Knut Bergqvist...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Edvard Hald for Orrefors Graal Glass Fish Vase 1954

$895

H 5.63 in Dm 4 in

Edvard Hald for Orrefors Graal Glass Fish Vase 1954

By Orrefors, Edward Hald

Located in Toledo, OH

Art glass fish vase by Edvard (Edward) Hald for Orrefors in clear glass with green fish and plants created using the Graal method, which was developed by Orrefors in 1916. This type ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

Vintage Orrefors Smoked Grey Art Glass Vase Designed by Edward Hald

$695

H 9.25 in Dm 6.13 in

Vintage Orrefors Smoked Grey Art Glass Vase Designed by Edward Hald

By Orrefors

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine vintage glass vase. Designed by Edward Wald for Orrefors. In grey cut glass with vine & leaf decoration around the circumference. Simply a wonderful Swedish art glass vase...

Category

20th Century Swedish Modern Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Previously Available Items

Hyaline Glass Cat Sculpture by Olle Alberius for Orrefors, 1970s

Sold

H 9.06 in W 3.94 in D 1.58 in

Hyaline Glass Cat Sculpture by Olle Alberius for Orrefors, 1970s

By Orrefors, Olle Alberius

Located in BARCELONA, ES

Purchasing the Hyaline Glass Cat Sculpture by Olle Alberius for Orrefors, crafted in the 1970s, offers an opportunity to bring a touch of elegance and whimsy into your home decor. Re...

Category

1970s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Edward Hald for Orrefors Fish Vase

Sold

H 5.5 in Dm 5 in

Edward Hald for Orrefors Fish Vase

By Edward Hald, Orrefors

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Edward Hald for Orrefors glass vase. Nice original example with no damage. Nice bright colors. Signed to bottom.

Category

1940s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Mid-Century Modern Crystal Glass Eagle Signed Orrefors Olle Alberuis 20th C

Sold

H 7.75 in W 6.5 in D 3.25 in

Mid-Century Modern Crystal Glass Eagle Signed Orrefors Olle Alberuis 20th C

By Orrefors

Located in Big Flats, NY

A Mid-Century Modern sculpture offers art glass stylized spread wing eagle, signed on base Orrefors 4286 117 Olle Alberuis, 20th C Measures- 7.75''H x 6.5''W x 3.25''D.

Category

20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Crystal

Orrefors Sweden Glass Elephant Signed by the Artist Olle Alberius

Sold

H 7.09 in W 4.73 in D 3.15 in

Orrefors Sweden Glass Elephant Signed by the Artist Olle Alberius

By Orrefors, Olle Alberius

Located in Marbella, ES

Orrefors Sweden glass elephant signed by the Artist Olle Alberius.

Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Modernist Crystal Elephant by Olle Alberius for Orrefors

Sold

H 7 in W 4.5 in D 3.5 in

Modernist Crystal Elephant by Olle Alberius for Orrefors

By Orrefors, Olle Alberius

Located in San Diego, CA

Very stylized modernist crystal elephant by Olle Alberius for Orrefors, circa 1970s. Signed and numbered a very cool piece!

Category

1970s Organic Modern Vintage Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Orrefors animal sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Orrefors animal 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 Orrefors animal sculptures, although gray editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original animal sculptures by Orrefors were created in the mid-century modern style in sweden during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider animal sculptures by Arne Tjomsland, Laurids Lonborg, and Gunnar Cyren. Prices for Orrefors animal sculptures can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $116 and can go as high as $2,450, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,425.

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Questions About Orrefors Animal Sculptures

Are all Orrefors signed?
1 Answer
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.
What country is Orrefors from?
1 Answer
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.
How do you identify Orrefors?
1 Answer
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.
Is Orrefors Swedish?
1 Answer
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.
Is Orrefors crystal lead free?
1 Answer
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.

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