Topic: Orrefors Rhino - help with code numbers please

[Littleblackhen]

I have a lovely clear crystal Rhino with the inscription underneath Orrefors A  - the next number is a bit blurred, possibly a 4 or an 8 then 352 - 111

I have looked at

http://www.great-glass.co.uk/glass%20notes/swedish.htm

and found that the A is probably for Ole Alberious.  Does that make sense, did he make rhinos?  Does anyone know what the rest of the code means please, or do you have a link to a website where I can research it?

Thanks

Janet

[Max]

Orrefors numbering is complicated and there are probably only a couple of people on the GMB who would be able to tell you definitively what you have there.  The first thing to do is to add a photo of the engraved numbers here so that people can see exactly what you mean.  The 'A' could be for Alberius, although if it's followed by a '1' then it could be mean the year 1935.

It would be worth your while to buy Ivo Haanstra's book 'A - Z Glass fact file' by Millers, as it covers not only Orrefors numbers, but a host of other important details of many other companies.


 

[Littleblackhen]

Thanks, I will do a photo as soon as possible - I don't have a camera so it means trekking the glass round to my dad's house then him emailing the photos back.

As to Ivo's book <shuffles feet and looks embarrassed> I will go and get it off the bookcase right now - oops.

[Pip]

I'd be interested in seeing your Rhino - I have a few bits of pottery designed by Olle Alberius for Rorstrand (Sweden). I had no idea he'd designed glass for Orrefors but it makes perfect sense, these designers spread themselves around!

[langhaugh]

Ulrika Ruding has a chapter in Wickman, Orrefors, that is the fullest explanation of the coding system used by Orrefors. The only problem is that many pieces don't seem to conform to that coding system. As Alistair Duncan says in his book on Orrefors, "There remain many marks that defy exact classification." Your rhino would seem to be one of those pieces. According to Duncan, the code for Alberius was "A" until 1980 (although Ruding says 1970, this can't be right, as Alberius started at Orrefors in 1971) and "OA" after 1980. So your piece was presumably pre-1980. He was known for his engraved designs and his sculptures with people and animals. I'd love to see a picture of the rhino if you ever get the chance.

Hope this isn't too much trivia. (Well, I know it is, but what good are obsessions without trivia?)

David

[Littleblackhen]

I have just bought a digital camera, so as soon as I can work it out I will get photos of the Rhino on

I do have photos my dad took for me of a bear and a rabbit which I bought together with the rhino.  The bear has the code A 4354 - 111  and the rabbit  has the code A 4356-111

The ending 111 must have some common meaning, and the other numbers are in sequence, so possibly they were all bought together originally.  The charity shop I bought these from must have been given a whole collection as they had about 20 different crystal animals. I only managed to buy a few.  I bought a Hadeland bear as well if anyone would like to see that?

[Bill G]

Pip indicated he did not know Olle Alberius was a designer at Orrefors.

Along with his functional glass, he incorporated copper wheel engraving to his art glass. In addition, he used the
Ariel technique to create limited edition works.

Amoung his commissions was the "People's Choice" Award which was a major TV event in the USA. He also designed the United Nations "Dove of Peace" award.

As a friend, we miss him after his passing.

Bill Geary

[Littleblackhen]

I came across this photo of a pair of elephants by Olle Alberius  http://www.modernistglass.com/glasspieces/view/2622

I think there is a definite resemblance in style to my collection of animals.

Thanks to everyone for their comments so far.  It looks as though they must be dated between 1971 when he started at Orrefors, and 1980 when the code changed to OA, if I have got it right.

Thank you Bill for adding to the thread with your personal insights.  You must miss him, but what a privilege to have known him as a friend.

[Max]

I think I'm right in saying that the shape/design may be dated from that period, but they could have been made more recently.

[Pip]

Pip indicated he did not know Olle Alberius was a designer at Orrefors.

Along with his functional glass, he incorporated copper wheel engraving to his art glass. In addition, he used the
Ariel technique to create limited edition works.

Amoung his commissions was the "People's Choice" Award which was a major TV event in the USA. He also designed the United Nations "Dove of Peace" award.

As a friend, we miss him after his passing.

Bill Geary

I honestly hadn't realised he'd designed for Orrefors but, as I said earlier, I really should have worked it out - after all, how many of the Scandi designers stuck rigidly to one medium?  Not many.  I seem to recall that designing banknotes was one of Kaj Franck's little excursions from glass.