Glass Message Board

Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => Scandinavian Glass => Topic started by: Anne on March 03, 2011, 03:43:17 AM

Title: Orrefors (artichoke!) Firefly candleholder = Nimbus by Berit Johansson
Post by: Anne on March 03, 2011, 03:43:17 AM
Found this rather nice Orrefors candleholder which looks like a glass artichoke but is apparently called Firefly. It's signed on the bottom with a script Of which I've not yet managed to get a photo of.

Can anyone tell me who designed it and when these were made please?
Title: Re: Orrefors (artichoke!) Firefly candleholder
Post by: a40ty on March 03, 2011, 06:15:32 AM
Hi Anne,
the designer is Berit Johansson, the name is "Nimbus" and it was last produced in 1995. Daniel S will know more, I'm sure  :)
best wishes, a40ty
Title: Re: Orrefors (artichoke!) Firefly candleholder
Post by: chopin-liszt on March 03, 2011, 12:50:20 PM
 :rah:  Artichoke  :rah:- I knew it was something vegetabley (I'd got stuck thinking it was a bit of a pine-cone).
I've got a couple of these, two different sizes - one small, one probably medium - don't know if they came in 3 sizes?
You don't see these nearly as often as the ubiqitous Kosta snowball!
Thanks for the info. a40ty
Title: Re: Orrefors (artichoke!) Firefly candleholder
Post by: Ivo on March 03, 2011, 01:13:28 PM
Wonder how the firefly got into it? I have a miniature candle stick as well...
Title: Re: Orrefors (artichoke!) Firefly candleholder
Post by: Bill G on March 03, 2011, 02:24:45 PM
The name Nimbus is correct.

Berit Johansson was a designer at Orrefors from 1979 until 1983 so production started in this period.

She now does independent design work for glass works in Murano.

Bill Geary
Title: Re: Orrefors (artichoke!) Firefly candleholder
Post by: Bill G on March 03, 2011, 02:27:01 PM
Hi:

Nimbus is the correct name.

Berit Johansson was a designer at Orrefors from 1979 until 1983 so production started during this period.

This designer is currently doing independent work with glass houses in Murano, Venice, Italy

Bill Geary
Title: Re: Orrefors (artichoke!) Firefly candleholder
Post by: Anne on March 03, 2011, 03:21:43 PM
Aine and Bill thank you! I found them listed as artichoke (like I thought) and then as Firefly so Nimbus it is... they are really nice, and the first one I've found of these. I looked at Berit's glass but wasn't sure as she seems to be doing graal work now and this is so different.
Title: Re: Orrefors (artichoke!) Firefly candleholder = Nimbus by Berit Johansson
Post by: kisslikeether on August 27, 2011, 03:41:56 PM
I don't know where Nimbus came from Orrefors US list it as being Firefly.
This site http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5867081 has a boxed example showing the name Firefly on it.
Title: Re: Orrefors (artichoke!) Firefly candleholder = Nimbus by Berit Johansson
Post by: Anne on August 27, 2011, 05:44:16 PM
As Bill works at Orrefors I suspect he knows what they call it. ;)

Perhaps the name Firefly was used for sales in the US market and Nimbus for European sales?

Another example here on sale on eBay.com in the USA with a box which says Nimbus:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sweden-Orrefors-Nimbus-Candle-Holder-Awesome-Design-/190352361963
Title: Re: Orrefors (artichoke!) Firefly candleholder = Nimbus by Berit Johansson
Post by: kisslikeether on August 28, 2011, 08:23:13 AM
That could well be the case Anne  :)

Perhaps Bill can shed some light on that one.
Title: Re: Orrefors (artichoke!) Firefly candleholder = Nimbus by Berit Johansson
Post by: Anne on August 28, 2011, 06:52:30 PM
Good thinking!  :rah:  Let's hope he'll pop in again soon. :)
Title: Re: Orrefors (artichoke!) Firefly candleholder = Nimbus by Berit Johansson
Post by: Daniel S on August 30, 2011, 08:35:14 PM
nimbus in Sweden - firefly abroad.

Fun fact: My grandfather was in the Of board and decided to let this one in production.
Title: Re: Orrefors (artichoke!) Firefly candleholder = Nimbus by Berit Johansson
Post by: Anne on August 30, 2011, 09:09:23 PM
Yay! Thank you Daniel, that solves that little mystery! And I'm so glad your grandfather allowed it, as I love this piece! :)
Title: Re: Orrefors (artichoke!) Firefly candleholder = Nimbus by Berit Johansson
Post by: kisslikeether on August 31, 2011, 10:05:09 AM
Mystery solved!  :hiclp: