Edward Hald for Orrefors

EDWARD HALD (Sweden, 1883–1980) for Orrefors.
Set of three “Fish Graal” vases.
Artistic crystal.
In very good condition.
Measurements: 14 x 8 cm; 12 x 9 cm; 11.5 x 13 cm.
Set of three artistic glass vases designed by Edward Hald for Orrefors and crafted using the innovative Graal technique. Each piece features a delicate, underwater-inspired design, with fish and aquatic plants engraved and encapsulated within the glass, creating a striking effect of depth and luminosity that is one of the hallmarks of this technique.
Edward Hald was a Swedish painter and designer, recognized as one of the most influential figures in 20th-century Scandinavian art glass. He began his training as a painter in 1904 in Copenhagen under the tutelage of Johan Rohde, later continuing his studies in Stockholm and Paris, where he was influenced by modernist movements and the teachings of Henri Matisse. He made his debut as an artist with an exhibition in Stockholm in 1909 and, following a major exhibition held in Lund in 1917, shifted his focus to glass and ceramic design. That same year, he began designing ceramics for Rörstrand, and shortly thereafter joined the prestigious Orrefors glassworks, where he spent most of his career. For nearly three decades, he worked closely with Simon Gate, playing a decisive role in establishing the company’s international reputation. Hald stood out for his constant technical and formal experimentation and was one of the main driving forces behind the development of Graal glass. Among his most celebrated creations is the iconic Fish Graal vase (1937), considered a masterpiece of glass design. His career was honored with a major retrospective exhibition organized by Orrefors in 1973 to mark his 90th birthday, and his final exhibition took place in Oslo in 1978.