Topic: "Holmegaard" bowl?

[tomsaaristo]

I have what appears to be a Swedish biomorphic Mid Century modern art glass bowl

I bought it as a "Per Lutken for Holmegaard" (maybe Flygsfors?) but it is not engraved

There does seem to be an embossed moon or C or U or V on the underside centered

I would appreciate any information on the identity of this bowl

Thank you for your time and expertise! I sincerely appreciate it

[Paul S.]

hello, and welcome to the GMB.

You may be correct with your description of these things - I do know that they are also called 'free-form' bowls, and just possible you may get more hits (to help you) using that name.
Origins for these pieces - probably amongst others - are Denmark (Holmegaard), Sweden (Afors) and China (Ikea), and quality will vary.
The Holmegaard examples designed by Per Lutken, should be signed by the factory, in almost all instances I'd have thought, and I've attached an example showing the details underneath the ground and polished foot, plus one or two other shots of the same bowl  -  the longest dimension of which is about 16.5 inches (c. 420 mm).
Regret I can't help on the Afors pieces, but according to the books they should show a factory code plus the initials/name of Ernest Gordon who was the designer of their free-form bowl.

Chinese pieces often carry a label, but these are prone to being removed - either accidentally or deliberately.

Does your bowl have a ground/polished depression underneath the foot where the pontil scar has been removed?     I could be very wrong, but the marks to which you refer may possibly be from a mould, and providing details of size might help too.

[tomsaaristo]

Thank you VERY much for your reply, Paul

It did occur to me that the mark may be from the mold. It is nearly impossible to see with the naked eye. I had to shoot it and then take it into an editing program to blow it up so you could see it. If it was actually a makers mark it would surely be visible without employing an editing program

There are no other marks on the piece. The bottom is ground flat so that it will sit flat. It IS glass and has a few air bubbles around the rim

I'm convinced I cannot attribute it to Per Lutken. Without a mark or a sticker I am leaning towards IKEA, but what decade? Still probably the 60's, wouldn't you think?

Thanks again!

[Paul S.]

think I'm tempted to agree with you that your bowl is quite possibly from the Far East (via Ikea) rather than Scandinavia  -  but my thoughts on date are going to be later than you've  suggested Tom................      I understand from people in the U.K. that these pieces were being sold by that retailer during the 1990's and into the early years of this century.

So, my opinion is from some time between 1985 and 2005, but since I don't buy pieces from Ikea I could be wrong   -   perhaps someone else here will have a more accurate suggestion of dating for you - always possible yours is earlier than I'm thinking                  

[tomsaaristo]

IKEA is Swedish and was making pieces back in the 1960's (they were founded 20 years earlier) so I can totally see them seeing these free form bowls and coming out with their own ... except that typically when they 'copy' a design it isn't as refined as the original artist piece

I will say, however, that Crate & Barrel and Pottery Barn came out the faux-Bakelite pieces bake in the early to mid-90's ... so IKEA revamping some iconic pieces may not be out of the question

[Ivo]

It is an Ikea piece and not vintage - it is maybe 10 years old or so.

The Ikea pieces are bottom on the list of quality; right above that is Bayel (usually unsigned but quite a bit heavier than Ikea) followed by Afors and Flygsfors - the latter would be signed and have a white thread trailing around the edge. Top quality is Holmegaard.

[tomsaaristo]

I sincerely appreciate the further education!

[chopin-liszt]

If it is of any interest, Wedgwood also made bowls very like these, but without a curved upper profile.
I have a clear-cased, "golden" amber one.

[Lustrousstone]

Just a pedantic point, Ikea doesn't make glass. It designs glass and has it made for it

[tomsaaristo]

Just a pedantic point, Ikea doesn't make glass. It designs glass and has it made for it

Thus it would have had a sticker (if that much) and no makers mark would exist on it