An exquisite “Kraka” teardrop glass vase by Sven Palmqvist for Orrefors c1955. Flattened teardrop shape. Trapped bubbles within a fine mesh at its base gradating to a solid blue at its rim. Cased in a thick layer of clear glass – resulting in a heavy vase (weighing 2.7 kg). Ground base with etched marks; Orrefors Kraka Nn 849 and etched Sven Palmqvist signature. Orrefors paper label. The vase is 21.5 cm in height.
 
Glass artist Sven Robert Palmqvist (1906 – 1984) was born in Lenhovda, Sweden. He is best known for his collaboration with the glassworks Orrefors where he started work as an apprentice engraver. Palmqvist went on to study at the Konstfack in Stockholm, and at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts. After a period of time in Paris he returned to the Orrefors Glassworks during the Second World War, where he stayed until his retirement in 1971. Sven Palmqvist is regarded as one of the significant contributors to 20th century Scandinavian glass design.
Orrefors produced Palmqvist’s Kraka collection between 1944 and 1972 – featuring a mesh pattern set between layers of glass, trapping air bubbles to create the patterned piece. After c1950, tints of golden-yellow were introduced into the design. A small number of models were mass-produced (3364, 3365, 3366 and 3367) which are engraved with an S or SU – other Kraka pieces were all handmade and carry the Palmqvist signature.
The name “Kraka” was inspire by a figure in Norse mythology: A beautiful maiden commanded by the legendary king Ragnar Lodbrok to appear before him “neither dressed nor undressed”. She arrived dressed in a net – finding her a beautiful and wise companion, Ragnar proposed marriage.