Orrefors: A Century of Swedish Glassmaking

Rating:
Summary: Orrefors at 100
Review: This is probably meant to be the definitive text on Orrefors glass, as it was written with the cooperation of, if not at the behest of, the company. That has both it's good and downsides. On the positive end there are lots of archival photos, original drawings and much behind-the-scenes information. The downside is that it reeks of boosterism and focuses in on the company's current production without any sense of critical analysis.

The book is a beautiful coffee table type with gorgeous photos and much information which will probably prove very useful for someone just exploring the world of Swedish glass. There is an emphasis on art in photography, which is really nice, but eventually proves to be a draw back, as there are multiple pictures of the same vase, while many other techniques are not covered. Also there is much space spent considering the careers of the current designers and no where near enough on their classic ones. Personally I am less interested in the company' centennial commemorative output than I am on their earlier innovations.

One wishes there was far more analysis on what were positive and negative developments within Orrefors' designs. Again, I would also like to know why certain decisions were made - for instance, why the company decided to discontinue popular designs they had produced for decades and produce only the work of current designers. That they did it is significant, why would be even more interesting to know. The book is said to have a definitive table to help in the deciphering of codes on the bottom of their handmade glassware. I have never been able to use it with any certainty. I do not know whether it is a problem of clarity, mistranslation or the sheer number of variables in the pieces produced.

This all may sound like a negative review, but perhaps I was anticipating the volume too greatly. It is beautiful, and easy to read. There is much information in it, and it bears up to a second or third reading. I do recommend the volume, I just hope that it is followed by another more definitive one that clearly documents the company's developments, perhaps less artfully.