Shalka, designed by Matz Borgström [b. 1954], prod. Sweden, 1988.

Matz Borgström has worked with companies such as Orrefors [1984-1990], Boda Nova Asplund, IKEA He co-founded the Swedish design program at Beckmans Formlinje - Beckman's School of Design in Stockholm. In addition, he is a lecturer at Konstfack University College of Arts, Crafts and Design's Department of Ceramics and Glass. He has as evidence of their designs received many international awards and scholarships.

Orrefors glassworks was founded in 1898 in Orrefors, Smaland.m on the same site where glassworks had been operating since 1726, the same year a "hot shop" was established to produce technical, medical and household glassware and glasses.

The appointment of Albert Ahlin as manager of the glassworks marked the beginning of a new era in Orrefors. In 1914, production of crystal products began, they also cut crystal according to purchased patterns and samples, Orrefors made art glass using the overlay technique with etched decoration. The new management quickly saw that artists were needed in the company. In 1916, Simon Gate was hired. Edward Hald joined a few years later. In 1913, consul Johan Ekman of Gothenburg became the new owner of Orrefors.

That same year, Gate and Hald took their first steps in engraved drawing. They also experimented with a new innovative glass-graal (grail) glass technique , which was developed at Orrefors by master glass-blower Knut Bergqvist. The most important successes were achieved a few years later at the Gothenburg exhibition in 1923, and especially at the Paris exhibition in 1925. The thin engraved glass was admired by the surrounding world, and a Grand Prix was awarded to both the Orrefors glassworks , and the artists themselves.

The success of Simon Gate and Edward Hald in Paris in 1925 marked the beginning of a long tradition of Orrefors - creative design closely combined with true innovative craftsmanship.

Since then, there has been no shortage of new designers and skilled glassblowers still working in the spirit of Gate and Hald.

Vicke Lindstrand and Öhrström Edvin with a new glassblowing technique called Ariel in 1930. Named after the character in Shakespare's "The Tempest." Air sealed between walls of glass.

Sven Palmqvist with Krak and Ravenna in 1940.

And in 1950 with Fuga, which, along with a slender, tulip-shaped glass - Nils Landberg ["Tulpan"].

Ingeborg Lundin's apple-shaped vase ["Applet"], are seen as symbols of the revival of Swedish design.

The 1960s are associated with pop glass by Gunnar Cyrén.

In 1970, Eva Englund, Olle Alberius, Lars Hellsten and Jan Johansson as well as Cyrén worked at Orrefors.

In the 1980s, emerging designers such as Anne Nilsson, Erika Lagerbielke, Helen Krantz, Borgström Matz, Per B Sundberg, Martti Rytkönen Bergstrom, Lena, Ingegerd Ramana, Malin Lindahl and Efva Attling helped propel Orrefors' design heritage into the future.