Sweden's Orrefors is one of the best-known names in Scandinavian glass. After WWII, the company employed a range of talented designers and artists, who produced innovative and highly appealing work that became both influential and highly-sought after across the world. Although much of their work was produced in large quantities, and can be found for under £200 ($320), some designs can fetch over ten times as much. Here, we examine an 1960s Orrefors 'Ariel' vase, designed by Edvin Ohrstrom.
- The fluid design on the vase is made using the complex and innovative 'Ariel' technique, developed by notable designer Vicke Lindstrand in 1937. The technique became important, and was later used by other glassmakers and designers.
- The pattern is first sand-blasted into a pre-made colored glass body - the sand-blasting creates impressions and grooves that form the pattern. Areas that are not part of the final pattern are 'masked' using a protective resistant substance.
- The patterned body is then reheated in the furnace, and covered with a thick layer of colorless glass. This layer captures airbubbles underneath it that follow the pattern fluidly. The thickness of the glass also helps to magnify the pattern, creating an optical effect.
- The pattern and colors are strongly influenced by modern art, such as paintings by Pablo Picasso and George Braque.
- Comprising a dove with a lady's head on the reverse, this is a comparatively common pattern - more complex and rarer patterns and forms can fetch over double this price.
Price Guide: £2,000-3,000 ($3,000-5,000)
Image courtesy of Fieldings Auctioneers.
