Art Glass

Art Glass

Art glass refers to glass products created with a focus on aesthetics, creativity and artistic expression. This can include everything from sculptures and vases to lighting fixtures and jewellery. Art glass may be handmade or produced in small series, often by designers and artists who specialise in this form of art.

History

Art glass has roots stretching back to antiquity, but experienced a significant flourishing during the modern glass movement of the 1900s. Movements such as Art Nouveau and later Art Deco contributed to the development of stylised forms and colours in glass production. In Norway, art glass flourished particularly from the 1940s onwards, with factories such as Hadeland Glassverk and Kosta Boda producing innovative designs.

Identification

There are several factors to look for when identifying art glass. First and foremost, the craftsmanship is often evident; irregularities or small bubbles may indicate that the piece is handmade. The design will typically be unique, with characteristic shapes, colours and patterns. Signatures from well-known artists or factories can also provide valuable information about the piece's origin.

Collector's Value

The collector's value of art glass varies considerably depending on factors such as rarity, quality, condition and popularity among collectors. Pieces made by renowned designers or factories tend to command higher values. Auctions and specialised antique shops often provide good insight into the market for art glass, where prices can range from a few hundred to several tens of thousands of NOK for particularly sought-after pieces.