THE ITEM
This exquisitely simple yet detailed work of Modernist art glass is by the renowned Swedish glass artist and designer Sven Palmqvist.
The sculpted glass features the Kraka technique, developed by Palmqvist in 1944 and creates the illusion of a net within the glass. The net-like pattern is created with the use of copper wire which traps air bubbles when the outer encasing of glass is applied. These beautifully patterned pieces were created by hand.
This particular piece is a superbly balanced pared ellipse shape and an excellent canvas to highlight the deep Cerulean blue that is interspersed with a swathe of yellow.
The name “Kraka” was inspired by the old Nordic Legend of Kraka from when she appeared before Ragnar Lodbrok to answer his riddle of how you could be “neither dressed, not undressed”, she solved this by appearing wrapped in a fishnet.
CONDITION
Very Good. No chips or cracks. There is mild use wear, most evident in the water staining on the interior of the vase that is commensurate with the age of the piece - please refer to photos as part of the condition report. The base is inscribed with 'ORREFORS, Kraka, PU 322' and Palmqvist's 'Sven Palmqvist' signature. The number of the piece is documented in the number range (numbers: 278 to 338) of pieces produced in 1954.
MEASUREMENTS
c. 11.5" / 29.2 cm tall (from base to rim) x c. 2" / 5.5 cm base diameter. Diameter across widest point: c. 3.5" / 9 cm. Rim diameter: c. 1.8" / 4.5 cm.
Unpackaged weight: c. 2.1 kg / 2,124 g
NOTES
Vase will be securely packaged and shipping will be insured. Shipping will be combined for multiple items.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Sven Palmqvist (b. 1906 - d. 1984) is best known for his collaboration with the famous glassworks Orrefors where he developed a number of new art glass techniques. In 1944, Orrefors launched Kraka collection featuring the fishnet-like wire mesh pattern set into two layers of glass technique that was developed by Palmqvist. In 1948, came Ravenna, a combination of a coloured glass plate with a glass crusher and a clear glass layer. Another notable success by Palmqvist was Fuga, which involved centrifuging the glass in a scaled and rapidly rotating form, instead of blowing the glass.
Palmqvist’s distinguished career with Orrefors spanned over four decades, from 1928 until 1971 when he retired. The creative and versatile designer also created a number of commissioned pieces for public spaces including glass sculptures that can be seen in churches in Sweden, the entrance to the SVT television studio in Stockholm, the National Museum of Sweden, the Kalmar Art Museum as well as in the decoration of a ministerial palace in Dubai.
Orrefors Glassworks
Orrefors glassworks (also known as just Orrefors) was a glassworks in the Swedish village Orrefors in Småland. The glassworks created crystal glassware and art glass and their range included crystal stemware, barware, vases, sculptures and lighting in crystal.
Founded in 1898 on the site of an older iron works, Orrefors originally produced mainly window glass and bottles and it would be 1913 before their range began to expand to drinking glasses and vases. Orrefor's first attempts at art glass making were in the style of the famous French glassworks such Daum and Gallé.
During it's long history, Orrefors was host to a vast number of glass artists and designers including the likes Edward Hald, Vicke Lindstrand, Edvin Öhrström, Anne Nilsson and Sven Palmqvist.
The original Orrefors glassworks closed in 2012 as the company became part of the Kosta Boda group.