Topic: Orrefors girl with flowers

[DavidG]

Vase is 6" (15.24cm) tall but I can't make out signature.  Does anyone recognize artist and when made?

[kerstinfroberg]

I think the signature says Fa W Johansson (Firma Walter Johansson). Walter Johansson had a firm called Glasgravyr (glass engraving) located in Orrefors.
He bought glass pieces from all over, even imported, engraved and signed them. He also used a paper label.
At the moment I can't find which years he operated, but I know he was active in th '60-ies.

Here is a selection: https://www.google.com/search?hl=sv&source=hp&q=w+johansson+orrefors&gbv=2&oq=&tbm=isch

[DavidG]

Thank You!

Do you think Walter Johansson was personally responsible for the design of the girl picking flowers?  Or maybe he contracted the design work out as well?

[kerstinfroberg]

Anecdotes have it that Walter was a barber who started selling glass by mail-order. Same anecdote tells that Orrefors glassworks and Kosta glassworks did not sell to him, but SEA and other "small" glassworks did. (and that he also imported)

Considering the number of pieces found, his operation must have been quite big - or he was active for many years.

There were several former employees who used their hometown (well - home-village) name in their small(ish) firm's name to get some extra "fame".

As to Walter's artistic or engraving skills I have no idea.

[DavidG]

How interesting!

And thanks for the information.  The piece I have is certainly of quality and was purchased maybe 50 or more years ago.  No idea if it was purchased overseas (where you are) or here in USA.

thanks again,

[rocco]

I have this one with the Johansson / Orrefors "signature" (otherwise no engraving )
Looks kind of Flygsfors'ish, though I have never seen this particular design from Flygsfors...

Michael

[kerstinfroberg]

Could it have been one of their seconds? (only joking...)

[rocco]

Yes - maybe one day we will find out who produced the glass