Nils Landberg smoked glass "shouldered" vase for Orrefors (1950s/60s) Sweden

Nils Landberg ‘Shouldered’ Vase for Orrefors

Few designers have had a greater influence on Scandinavian art glass than Nils Landberg (1907–1991). Joining the renowned Swedish glassworks Orrefors in 1927, Landberg spent more than four decades refining a design language defined by elegant proportions, technical precision and an extraordinary understanding of colour within glass. Alongside contemporaries such as Vicke Lindstrand and Edvin Öhrström, he helped establish Orrefors as one of the world’s most celebrated glass manufacturers during the twentieth century.

Landberg became particularly known for his mastery of sommerso—the Italian glassmaking technique in which a coloured layer of glass is encased within a thicker layer of crystal. At Orrefors he interpreted the technique with remarkable restraint, favouring soft smoky tones and beautifully balanced forms over decoration. His work feels effortlessly Scandinavian: refined, understated and sculptural.

This elegant ‘Shouldered’ vase is a wonderful example of that philosophy. The rounded shoulder and compact form allow the softly smoked glass to appear almost suspended within the crystal, creating a remarkable sense of depth and light. As the vase catches the light, the encased grey core seems to shift in colour and transparency, revealing the craftsmanship that made Orrefors internationally admired.

Details

Designer: Nils Landberg

Manufacturer: Orrefors, Sweden

Date: c.1950s-60s

Origin: Sweden

Materials: Smoked sommerso glass encased in clear crystal

Dimensions:

Height: 15 cm

Condition

Very good vintage condition with light age-related wear. There are a few small flea bites to the base, consistent with age, which do not detract from the appearance or integrity of the piece.