Vintage and later Swedish Orrefors Glasbruk decanters

The earliest decanters date from the late seventeenth century and were made from blown moulded glass.

They were used to serve wine at a time when there was a move towards less formal dining procedures and the reduced reliance on servants and waiters.

The 1745 Excise Tax caused manufacturers to make decanters lighter in weight. The tax benefited the industry in Ireland where it did not apply. When the tax was repealed in 1845, a heavier gauge was reverted to.

In the second half of the eighteenth century blue, green and amethyst coloured decanters were made.

Decanters often sat on more... silver bottle coasters with baize bases (some even on castors) and could be 'pushed' around the dining table without making scratches or requiring serving staff. less...

Orrefors Glasbruk is a famous Swedish glassworks company known for its high-quality crystal and glass products. The company was founded in 1898 in the small village of Orrefors, located in the province of Småland in southern Sweden.

The founders of Orrefors Glasbruk were two brothers, August and Johan Peterson. They established the company with the aim of producing high-quality glassware that would rival the best of what was being produced in Bohemia, which was then the center of the glass industry in Europe.

Orrefors quickly gained a reputation for producing exceptional glassware, and its products became highly sought more... after by collectors and connoisseurs around the world. The company's success was due in large part to the innovative designs of its master glassmakers, who were constantly experimenting with new techniques and styles.

One of the most important figures in the history of Orrefors was Simon Gate, who joined the company in 1916. Gate was a talented artist and designer who created many of the company's most famous designs, including the Graal technique, which involved overlaying layers of glass to create a three-dimensional effect.

Orrefors continued to produce high-quality glassware throughout the 20th century, despite facing competition from other glass manufacturers around the world. The company was particularly renowned for its stemware, which was used in many of the world's finest restaurants and hotels.

Today, Orrefors Glasbruk remains one of the most important glassworks companies in Sweden. The company's products continue to be highly prized by collectors and are sold in fine department stores and galleries around the world. Orrefors is also known for its collaborations with contemporary designers, which have resulted in a range of innovative and exciting new products less...