Sven Palmqvist

Sven Palmqvist (1906–1984) was associated with glass as a schoolboy. When the huts at the school needed extra form guards as carriers, it was natural to build these in the school hall. Sven came to take an early educational journey from the cupboard floor in Hjärtsjö’s glassware to a place between the great masters, heirs of Simon Gate and Edvard Hald. Sven came to the woodcarving school in Orrefors and then became a design assistant at Gate. Inspired by him to go on to Stockholm and the Technical School and finally the Academy of Fine Arts. Although Sven went on to Paris and Ranson Academy, he did not lose contact with Glass and Orrefors. At the same time, there was an opportunity to work as an engraver and also as an always independent artist. It was 48 years of uninterrupted art activity, a very fruitful collaboration for the glassworks. Sven’s background gave him a strong knowledge of the possibilities and limitations of glass. His technical curiosity and the sure way to design the entire production came. It is impossible to give a complete account of the breadth of the life’s work, but some of the most important expressions should be mentioned. Fuga, the product line produced by Sven, developed and obtained patents in Europe and the US, was successful and provided content for the Handicraft Association’s More Beautiful Daily Goods slogan. This popular convenience product, launched by NK in 1954 and then a success on H55 in Helsingborg.