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.
Vintage Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden 1947
By Orrefors, Edward Hald
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden 1947 A vintage vase of the Graal series designed by Edward Hald for Orrefors Sweden in 1938. Clear and green glass decora...
Art Glass
Rare Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors
By Edward Hald, Orrefors
Located in Staffanstorp, SE
A stunning and rare example of Swedish Graal glasswork, this “Fisk” (Fish) vase was designed by Edward Hald for Orrefors 1952 The piece features a beautifully intricate underwater s...
Art Glass
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 ...
Glass, Art Glass
Vintage Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden 1963
By Edward Hald, Orrefors
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...
Art Glass
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 ...
Art Glass
Orrefors Edward Hald Graal Fish Art glass vase from the 1940s
By Orrefors
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Orrefors Edward Hald Graal Fish Art glass vase from the 1940s Beautiful Scandinavian designed Orrefors Graal crystal vase, a master piece created by the renowned Swedish designer Edw...
Art Glass
Vintage Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden 1963
By Edward Hald, Orrefors
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...
Art Glass
Vintage Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden
By Edward Hald, Orrefors
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Fish Graal Vase by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden A vintage vase of the Graal series designed by Edward Hald for Orrefors Sweden in 1938. Clear and green glass decorated w...
Art Glass
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.25 in Dm 4.5 in
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...
Art Glass
Vase ‘Fish Graal’ designed by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden, 1949
By Edward Hald
Located in Stockholm, SE
Vase ‘Fish Graal’ designed by Edward Hald for Orrefors, Sweden, 1949. Glass. Signed. Dimensions: H: 16.5 cm / 6 1/2'' Diameter: 9 cm / 3 1/2'' 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...
Glass
