Museum-Quality Swedish Art Glass: Edvin Öhrström’s Ariel Bowl for Orrefors, 1956
This is a rare and highly collectible piece of Swedish Art Glass, created by sculptor and designer Edvin Öhrström (1906-1994) for Orrefors Glasbruk. This bowl is a quintessential example of the groundbreaking Ariel Technique that Öhrström co-developed, which positioned Orrefors at the forefront of global glass art in the Mid-Century period.
 
The Ariel Technique 
Invented by Öhrström, Vicke Lindstrand, and master glassblower Gustav Bergkvist in 1936, the Ariel technique is a labor-intensive, multi-stage process that literally suspends patterns within the glass using trapped air. The name is derived from the air spirit in Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
Construction: The technique involves etching (often sandblasting) a pattern into an inner layer of colored glass. When the piece is re-heated and cased with a thick layer of clear crystal, air is trapped within the etched recesses, resulting in decorative air bubbles and patterns that appear to float inside the glass body.

The Bowl: This beautiful square bowl (Model 447F) features a striking dark glass with deep blue tones set against the clarity of the crystal casing. The heavy, thick crystal walls magnify the trapped air, giving the piece immense sculptural depth.
 
Collector’s Provenance 
Designer: Edvin Öhrström (Co-developer of the Ariel Technique)
Manufacturer: Orrefors Glasbruk, Sweden
Model: Ariel, No. 447F
Date: 1956
Dimensions:
Height: 3 inches (8 cm)
Width & Depth: 5 inches (12.5 cm)
Signature: Clearly engraved on the base: Orrefors Ariel nr. 447F Edvin Ohrstrom.
Condition:
The piece is in Very Good Vintage Condition, showcasing its authenticity and history. The Ariel decoration and cased glass are fully intact and vibrant. As expected for a piece of this age and weight, there is wear (light surface scratching) on the bottom, consistent with its use and movement over nearly 70 years. This wear does not detract from its sculptural display appeal.