Posted 11 years ago
racer4four
(586 items)
Ruda Glasbruk existed from 1910 to 1972, originally making household utility products, then products for industry. Ruda is a town in the "glasriket" or Kingdom of Glass in Sweden. This where all the main glass companies of Sweden are or were based.eg Kosta, Orrefors, Maleras, Reijmyre.
In 1947 a company called Jungner bought Ruda, and Gote Augustsson arrived from this company and became works manager and chief designer. From the 50s on the company moved more into the art glass field and as far as I can find, Augustsson designed all the glass series produced by the company. I can see it might be a conflict of financial interest to have your designer also in charge of the works! It may be an urban legend (or a Kingdom of Glass legend) that Ruda's products cost more to make than they were sold for, which is why they closed in 72.
This series of cobalt glass is called Kobalt. The glass is an intense midnight blue, almost black and apparently had high levels of cobalt in the glass batch. Like much Ruda glass the pieces were formed in moulds made from carbon, which deteriorated quickly and resulted in differences between each item made as the mould changed. Carbon moulds required replacing often, which made production costs high.
Kobalt came in a variety of bowls, vases and flasks, this is the tallest at 220mm. It is a brutish bit of glass but I love it - it's like a dark secret.....
Thanks for the quick love Kevin!
I had one myself similar years ago. It took me quite some time to track its maker down. Nice, rugged piece!
Very masculine glass I would say!
Thanks Shrine!
Uber cool photos Karen :)
BEAUTIFUL!!!
Thanks aims! Somethings work well and others look like cra....uh..kransky!!
I appreciate you commenting on my photos.
Beautiful comment from the ever complimentary Sean......thanks mate!
Also grateful to:
Tom
Mike
Amber
Nuts
Leah
Agh
Fluffluff
Czechman. for loving it!
I love them. Always wanted some blue Ruda!!!
Thanks for that Austro!
Wonderful glasart piece! Love the color!
Thanks Elisabeth! I agree, the colour is unusual and appealing.
Thanks also for the love antiquerose.