Kjell Blomberg vase

This hand-blown glass vase was designed by Swedish designer Kjell Blomberg in 1963 and produced by Gullaskruf Glasbruk in Sweden. The vase is crafted from transparent blue glass with a softly and evenly distributed coloration. Its form is organic and rounded, featuring a bulbous body that tapers gradually into a short, narrow neck, which terminates in a beak-like lip. This lip is subtly pinched, serving both a functional purpose and enhancing the sculptural qualities of the piece.

The glass exhibits a consistent wall thickness and a slight iridescence, characteristics often seen in mid-century Scandinavian studio glass production. The surface reveals minor wear appropriate for its age and use, while no cracks or chips are present. The base is slightly concave and bears pontil marks from the blowing process, emphasizing the handcrafted nature of the object.

Kjell Blomberg (1931–1983) was active at Gullaskruf during a period of significant evolution in Swedish glass design, when artistic experimentation was increasingly embraced alongside industrial manufacturing. His work is distinguished by organic shapes and a refined attention to the expressive possibilities of color and transparency. Gullaskruf, based in the Småland region, gained recognition for high-quality glass production and support of artist-led design initiatives during the 1950s and 1960s. Blomberg, alongside contemporaries like Arthur Percy and Lennart Andersson, contributed to the studio’s reputation for clean, modernist designs imbued with poetic sensibility.

The vase embodies mid-century Scandinavian style, characterized by minimalism, material honesty, and the dynamic relationship between form and light. It reflects broader Nordic modernist ideals, where functional and artistic considerations were equally valued.

The dimensions are 15 cm in height and 12.5 cm in diameter (approximately 5.9 by 4.9 inches). The condition is very good, showing minimal surface wear without structural damage.