Gjøvik Glassworks

Historic Gjøvik Glassworks

Gjøvik Glassworks, or Gjøvigs Glasværk, was founded by Caspar Kauffeldt in 1807 and closed in 1843. This article concerns the historic factory. Gjøvik municipality also records later glassworks activity from 1994 to 2007, which must be distinguished from the earlier production.

Glass and design

Nøstetangen Norwegian Glass Museum describes Gjøvik drinking glasses and decanters and highlights its blue potpourri jars. The blue colour was produced using cobalt from the Modum cobalt works. The factory has an important place in Norwegian Empire-period glass history.

What supports an attribution?

Blue glass alone is insufficient evidence for Gjøvik manufacture. Examine the complete shape, proportions, foot, neck, decoration and manufacturing traces. Compare with documented museum objects and state both similarities and differences.

Photograph loose lids and other components separately. Record chips, cracks, ground edges, repairs and possible combinations of parts. A stylistic description such as “Empire” assesses design and must not alone be treated as proof of manufacture.

See our glass and crystal category.

Sources

Nøstetangen Norwegian Glass Museum: Gjøvik, text by Randi Gaustad and Gjøvik municipality’s historical overview.