Nordic Glass

An Overview of Techniques in Nordic Art Glass

Nordic art glass achieved great success during the 20th century. At Kosta, Iittala, Orrefors, and other glassworks, artists were employed early on to improve the quality. Together with skilled glassblowers, engravers, and grinders, the artists invented and refined the glass techniques. Welcome to our overview of the most prominent of these methods!

Free-Blowing

Free-blown glass is crafted by blowing without a mold. Usually, a single bubble is formed, but several can be achieved by using steel wire rings. The glass is often formed with wet newspapers and wooden boards.

Mold-Blowing

Mold-blown glass is crafted by blowing in a mold of graphite, metal, or sand. If the mold has a pattern, it will show on the surface of the glass.

Casting

Glass casting is done by pouring molten glass in a mold of graphite, metal, or sand. If the mold has a pattern, it will show on the surface of the glass. Objects are often placed in the glass before it solidifies.

Grinding

Grinding glass is done to create flat surfaces or decorative patterns.

Blasting

When glass is blasted, an air jet of sand creates a matte surface. By covering parts of the glass before blasting, craftsmen can create decorative motifs.

Etching

When etching glass, craftsmen first protect the surface with varnish. Then, they carve a pattern with a needle. Afterwards, they dip the object in acid and the exposed surfaces are corroded, leaving a decorative motif.

Engraving

When engraving glass, craftsmen carve the decor with an abrasive wheel or drill. A diamond bit is used to do the more detailed engraving.

Painting

Painting glass is done with colored and easily melted glass powder. It is accomplished with a brush and long strokes. The object is then fired at moderate temperature and the color melts.

Adding

Adding glass means that a craftsman puts a smaller part on a larger glass mass. The added part is often a contrasting color and shape.

Rolling in Color

When rolling in color, the artist rolls molted glass into crushed, colored glass. Different grain sizes of crushed glass create varying effects.

Underlay

Glass with underlay has a colored inner layer and a clear outer layer.

Ravenna

Ravenna is a special type of glass with underlay (a colored inner layer and a clear outer layer). Then, craftsmen make an indented pattern in the colored inner layer and fill the indents with shattered glass of a different color, before covering with a new layer of clear glass. The technique was developed by Sven Palmqvist at Orrefors in 1948 after a trip to the Italian city of Ravenna.

Overlay

Glass with overlay has a clear inner layer and one or more colored outer layers. By grinding, etching, or engraving, a craftsman can decorate the glass with motifs.

Grail

Grail is a special type of glass with overlay (a clear inner layer and one or more colored outer layers). The artist then add another clear layer, so that the colored glass is trapped between the clear layers. Knut Bergqvist at Orrefors developed this technique in 1914. The name comes from the Holy Grail – the cup used to collect the blood of Christ at the crucifixion.

Ariel

Ariel is a special type of glass with overlay (a clear inner layer and one or more colored outer layers). A craftsman then makes an indented pattern in the colored glass before adding a layer of clear glass that traps air bubbles in the indentions. Edvin Öhrström, Gustaf Bergkvist, and Vicke Lindstrand created this technique at Orrefors during the 1930s. The name comes from the air spirit "Ariel" in Shakespeare's play ”The Tempest”.

Kraka

Kraka is a special type of glass with overlay (a clear inner layer and one or more colored outer layers). A craftsman then pulls a net over the outer layer and sandblasts it before adding a clear outer layer. Sven Palmqvist developed this technique at Orrefors in 1944. The name comes from a female character in a Viking saga who wore only a fish net.