Sven Palmqvist Vase

Style Mid-century Modern
Country Sweden

Handblown Glass Vase by Sven Palmqvist for Orrefors

Kraka Series, Signed & Numbered
1955, Mid-Century Modern, Sweden
Excellent Vintage Condition
H 21.5cm

Etched on the underside of this vase is ‘Orrefors (maker) Kraka (series) n. 349 (design), Sven Palmqvist (designer)’ Featuring handblown clear crystal that encases an underlay of gold and blue tones in a lattice pattern with internal bubbles. Overall excellent impression with a very minor visible manufacturing mark from the glassmaking process.

This stunning original Modernist vase was designed by the renowned Swedish glass artist Sven Palmqvist using his Kraka technique, which he developed with Orrefors in 1944. Here, the illusion of a net appears suspended within the glass. The unique effect is created by the use of a copper wire mesh that traps air bubbles when an outer clear encasing of glass is applied – all by hand.

Interestingly, the name of the technique was inspired by an old Nordic legend, in which the beautiful Viking princess Kraka is summoned by King Ragnar. He requested that she meet him ‘neither dressed nor undressed’ so she chose to wrap herself in a fishnet, much to his delight apparently!