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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Scandinavian Glass => Topic started by: shineyobjects on October 18, 2010, 09:32:35 PM

Title: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: shineyobjects on October 18, 2010, 09:32:35 PM
This vase reminds me of the ariel by Edvin Ohrstrom but its not I'm wondering if anyone knows it?  :thup:

Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: dirk. on October 18, 2010, 10:05:59 PM
I´m reading ´W.(illy) Johansson´ there, perhaps ??? ...  :hi:
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: obscurities on October 18, 2010, 11:29:14 PM
I agree Willy Johansson for Orrefors......
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: shineyobjects on October 19, 2010, 12:14:08 AM
Did Willy Johansson work for Orrefor?
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: obscurities on October 19, 2010, 12:38:13 AM
Someone may know in depth better than I, but it is my understanding that he did some limited designs for them. It is also my understanding that his best known body of work, and the work I am familiar with, is for Hadeland of Norway.... I bought several early pieces (mid 50's) of his Hadeland work at an auction and learned about them, and him before I sold the pieces.  Here are some examples... His Hadeland pieces were signed WJ Hadeland and the last 2 digits of the year...

Craig
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: langhaugh on October 19, 2010, 01:53:23 AM
Craig:

Where did you find that Willy Johansson worked for Orrefors? I remember we talked about this before but I can't find the topic immediately.  Neither can I find that in any of the Orrefors or Scandinavian books I have, which all state that he worked full time for Hadeland for most of his life. It doesn't look his work very much, either.

Interestingly, Modernistglass.com, who are pretty reliable, describe one of the pieces they sold this way:

"It's Swedish art glass from the town of Orrefors. This one isn't signed but a couple of other pieces in this design that we have owned (one in the same jet black) were signed and/or stickered FA.W.Johansson Orrefors. "FA" in Swedish stands for "Firm". The firm of W.Johansson was a business that bought and sold glass. We're not sure if it was only from Orrefors or from other glass factories and studios as well. Its founder was, a former hairdresser named W Johansson. They had their own engravers and marked most of the pieces that they sold with signatures and stickers."

Shineyobjects: if you could provide the number of the bottom, then we could see if it matches anything in the Orrefors output.

David
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: obscurities on October 19, 2010, 02:22:26 AM
I may be mistaken in my memory, and I may be thinking of the other discussion and not remembering it correctly. That is why I said that someone may know in depth better than I.   :huh:

Craig
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: ahremck on October 19, 2010, 04:41:42 AM
I have no idea what the CIS or C/S refers to, nor the PO or P0, although I wondered about "prototype".  For Orerfors to have a  full signature usually meant that it was a very limited edition - <50.  It is not marked EA (which had from 2 to 5 in the run), nor is it marked 'Unik" - a one off marking, so it seems it may have been made in a run of 20 to 50.  It is peculiar that it does not have a design number though.  Good luck with your research - a really nice bit.

Ross
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: langhaugh on October 19, 2010, 06:48:24 AM
Did Orrefors have guest designers create limited editions? I haven't come across that in any of the books I've read. BTW, the biography of Johansson makes no mention of any time at Orrefors. Admittedly, the book is titled Willy Johansson og Hadeland Glassverk, but that reflects the fact that he  worked only for Hadeland. I think the Modernistglass explanation, though perhaps it does not explain everything, is closer to the actual answer. 

David
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: ahremck on October 19, 2010, 07:27:59 AM
I thought "Kosta(Boda)" as a first impression so I rather like your thought David.  Its markings are unlike any other Orrefors pieces I have come across.

Ross
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: glassobsessed on October 19, 2010, 06:37:55 PM
Your vase is shown on page 117 of Scandinavian Glass Fire and Sea (in green), it appears there are quite a few possibilities for a maker including: Sea Glassbruk, Glimma Glasbruk and Skruf amongst others. Looks like it is Swedish but you may need to look for a labeled example..... :wsh:

Another vase along the same lines (no pun intended ;D): http://www.glassmessages.com/index.php/topic,36249.0.html

John

Oh dear, not only did I not notice the signature.... Now I am confused. :huh:


Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: shineyobjects on October 19, 2010, 08:02:51 PM
Thanks guys, It's a tricky piece with no numbers. I've seen something like it but marked Jan Johansson? Now I can't work out the value of this piece. It's pretty tricky!

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/fabulous-orrefors-johansson-pink-orange-swirl

Also, A link from live auctions this is by Jan Johansson the base has a similar design.

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/4785092

The problem is we see a W not a J.  :-\ Sorry to confuse you all and glass glassobsessed if only it was :(
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: Daniel S on October 19, 2010, 08:58:20 PM
Name is Walter Johansson, former hairdresser in Orrefors. He bought pieces from ie SEA, added a engraving or just his signature and sold it as his own.

He has NOTHING to do with THE Orrefors factory. Orrefors wanted him out of business but the name orrefors is not copyright protected.
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: obscurities on October 19, 2010, 09:02:49 PM
I will certainly not forget the story this time!!

Craig
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: Daniel S on October 19, 2010, 09:07:17 PM
PS, Orrefors is a village, and the factory is in the middle of that village. Approx 700 people are living there.

Orrefors comes from the word Orre which is a bird, seen on the sticker that Orrefors uses.
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: shineyobjects on October 19, 2010, 09:48:20 PM
Thanks for that info I've found the vase on a forum 5th topic down.  It says the picture is from a Glimma glass museum when using google translate?

http://www.precisensan.com/antikforum/showthread.php?t=8311

Looks like it is by Sea as you said :)
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: langhaugh on October 20, 2010, 05:26:02 AM
Thank you, Daniel. So,  information from Modernistglassdotcom was accurate after all.

David
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: Ivo on October 20, 2010, 06:46:14 AM
DEK is an abbreviation of Decorative Etching Kosta, which was a precursor to the Sea Glass Works in Kosta - is what I read in that thread.
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: mbmb on October 20, 2010, 07:39:26 AM
Hi

Some confusion about Willy Johansson here, and no wonder really, as there were two of them – one in Norway, working exclusively for Hadeland, and another in Sweden, associated with Orrefors (though the wonderful hairdresser story was new to me too). Hadeland pieces are always signed Hadeland WJ. Pieces prior to 1961 will have the year added, and occasionally the glassblower’s initials as well (though not after 1954).

mbmb

Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: Daniel S on October 20, 2010, 07:43:35 AM
Yes that is NOT the same person.
And the guy living in Orrefors had Walter as first name.

He bought from several companies not one company alone.
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: Ivo on October 20, 2010, 07:47:02 AM
And what about Micke Johansson? I think we need Bill Geary for disabiguity.
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: Daniel S on October 20, 2010, 07:53:35 AM
Micke Johansson what has he to do with this?

He is a current working glassblower in Pukeberg. Has done several nice pieces. Especially those with Peter Hermansson.
Micke is a former master from Orrefors factory.
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: langhaugh on October 22, 2010, 05:17:48 AM
I think I found another non Hadeland Willy Johansson.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Willy-Johansson-Hadeland-Cranberry-Crystal-Cased-Vase-/250714570414?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5fc0beae

David
Title: Re: Orrefors ID help anyone?
Post by: obscurities on October 22, 2010, 05:52:22 AM
I agree with you completely. I saw that, as I do a Hadeland search on ebay, and the second I saw it I thought of the other guy. 

Craig