An Overview of Otto Brauer’s Gulvvase (Floor Vase) Series

Otto Brauer (1911–1984) started his career in the Danish glass industry at only 14 years of age. He is today most known for his ”Gulvvase” (Floor Vase) series for the Holmegaard company.

The vases were designed in 1962 with bottle shapes, pop-era colors, and joyous expressions. There are five sizes: 26 cm (10.2 in), 31 cm (12.2 in), 38 cm (15.0 in), 45 cm (17.7 in), and 52 cm (20.5 in).

The first years, the bottles only came with unicolored glass: Olive green, brown, dark blue, and white. In 1970, they were launched with white inner layer and colored outer layer: Red, ruby red, turquoise, green, olive green, and yellow.

The vases are today often accompanied with a contrasting colored ball on top. These balls were actually designed by Michael Bang but crafted at the same glassworks as the bottles.

Which of Otto’s vases is your favorite?

Olive green vase

Brown vase

Dark blue vase

White vase

Red/white vase

Ruby red/white vase

Turquoise/white vase

Yellow/white vase

Green/white vase

Olive green/white vase

Vases in different sizes with a Michael Bang decorative ball on top