Orrefors Lundin Child Fishing Engraved Swedish Crystal Vase

Ingeborg Lundin was the first female artist hired at Orrefors. She worked there from 1947 to 1971, and may be best known for her large, delicate, very round, handblown, "Apple" vases. By contrast, this sturdier piece is blown into a mould and copper-wheel engraved. Lundin's engraved motifs always show a touch of whimsy, and this, the middle size of a charming series she did with children, is no exception. The oblong vase was a signature shape for her; this one is 7.5" x 3.25" x 4.75", and heavy, weighing about 2 pounds. The design code 3841 tells me it was designed around 1960, and the date code C8 means that this particular piece was made in 1960.

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. The company employed master artists and craftsmen, some of whom worked their whole careers of 40, 50, or more years at Orrefors.