Orrefors Palmqvist Young Woman with Birds, Swedish Crystal Vase, 1951 Copper Wheel Engraved, Perfect Gift

Designed by Sven Palmqvist in 1951, and copper-wheel engraved, this handblown glass vase is a perfect representation of Swedish culture in the mid 20th century.

The Orrefors story began in 1726, when an ironworks and smith was built near “the beautiful river that flows into Lake Orranäs” in the Swedish countryside. It was given the name Orrefors, which means “the Orre waterfall.” ("Orre" is the Swedish name for the black grouse, which is the bird seen on their iconic labels.) The foundry was converted to a glassworks in 1898, as the demand for iron decreased. By the mid-1920s, Orrefors was celebrated for the quality and beauty of its glass.

Orrefors employed master artists and craftsmen, some of whom worked their whole careers of 40, 50, or more years with the company. Sven Palmqvist (1906-1984) was born in the glass district of southern Sweden and started at Orrefors in 1928, designing hundreds of engraved glass motifs. According to his daughter, to whom I am connected through an online glass group, he had a particular fondness for portraying people and animals.

This charming vase is a perfect size, 4.25" x 3" x 7.25", and heavy, weighing 3 pounds. The style code 3341 and the date code C1 means that this motif was both designed and produced in 1951. The condition is very good for a piece its age.