Strikingly elegant tall glass vase by Sven Palmqvist for Orrefors c.1950's. The vase is of a tear-drop form with asymetric rim and heavy base. Smokey grey and clear glass combination. Engraved signature to base "Orrefors P u 3591/15. The vase measures 29.5 cm in height.
 
Orrefors glassworks was founded in 1898 on the site of an earlier ironworks, producing bottles and sheet glass for industrial and domestic use. It was a change of ownership in 1913 that initiated the production of glassware and decorative items. Skilled glass workers were brought in from Kosta as well as from Bohemia, where there has been a long tradition in the production of art-glass. The first attempts at more modern glass were cameo vases in the style of renown French glassworks such as Daum and Gallé – however the techniques and skills learnt were soon applied in the production of new designs developed at Orrefors. One of these early developments was the production of Graal glass, developed by Knut Bergkvist. In the first part of the 20th century Orrefors was renowned for their elaborately engraved, fine glass – however the post WWI years demanded greater simplicity of design. Designers such as Vicke Lindstrand joined Orrefors through the late 20s and 30s – developing a number of techniques that characterise the range of art glass seen today. Both Sven Palmqvist and Nils Landberg were students at the Orrefors glass school and were accomplished engravers. They both became key designers for Orrefors from the 1940s.