Hurdal Glassworks

The glassworks at Hurdal

Hurdal Glassworks was established in 1755 to produce window glass. An ample supply of firewood was an important prerequisite. The works later took over fine drinking-glass production and models from Nøstetangen. Its name therefore encompasses several production periods and types of goods.

Drinking glasses and the link to Gjøvik

Nøstetangen Norwegian Glass Museum describes Hurdal's continuation of earlier models, while forms gradually became simpler and stems lower under the influence of Neoclassicism. Drinking-glass production transferred to Gjøvik in 1809. Hurdal continued making window glass and some pharmaceutical glass well into the nineteenth century.

Why attribution can be difficult

The museum explains that no illustrated catalogue of Hurdal production survives, although price lists document models. A glass resembling a known Nøstetangen example therefore cannot automatically be assigned to the same works. The history of a model must be distinguished from secure identification of an individual object's manufacturer.

Photograph the profile, stem, foot, base and any engraving, and record height and diameter. Compare several documented examples rather than a single sale photograph. Disclose repairs, chips and uncertainties in dating. Use “attributed to Hurdal” when the evidence supports an attribution rather than a confirmed origin.

See also Nøstetangen Glassworks, Gjøvik Glassworks and our glass and crystal category.

Sources

Nøstetangen Norwegian Glass Museum: Hurdal works and the exhibition on the continuation of glass models.