OWL(CRYSTAL) L H2275

A crystal glass owl figurine.
Erik Höglund incorporated various inspirations from cultures and arts he encountered during his travels into his designs.

One significant event that left a strong impression on him was the Mexican art exhibition held in Stockholm in 1952.
Later, in 1957, as a runner-up prize for the Lunning Prize, he visited Mexico and Guatemala, directly experiencing ancient ruins such as the Mayan civilization and indigenous cultures, which further deepened his interest.

The rough, hand-carved molds leave their marks on the thick glass surface, giving it a powerful texture reminiscent of stone carvings.
The simplified forms and sculptural shapes show a symbolism akin to ancient civilization's stone statues, creating a presence like a sculpture despite being glass.

Most of Erik Höglund's works do not have their motifs listed in the catalogs of the time, but this is one of the few pieces where the motif (owl) is explicitly stated.
There are two sizes of owls, and this is the larger one, weighing 2.4 kg.
Designed around 1970.
The cut signature is 'Boda H2275/160'.
A rare item.
*In good condition with no noticeable damage.
*Our store issues certificates of authenticity based on our accumulated experience.

ERIK HÖGLUND｜ERIC HÖGLUND｜1932-1998｜SWEDEN
Erik Höglund was a leading Swedish artist/designer.
After studying sculpture at Konstfack in Stockholm, he began his career as a designer at BODA in 1953 and worked there energetically for approximately 20 years.

Inspired by various traditions and indigenous cultures, he actively incorporated air bubbles and distortions not as flaws but as part of his expression, pursuing forms that convey a sense of human warmth.
His unique worldview, which elevated the primitive to the modern, brought new possibilities of expression to glass art.
Although his unconventional style initially sparked controversy, he built trust through unwavering passion for creation and tireless effort.

In 1957, he received the Lunning Prize, the most prestigious award in Nordic design, proving that his expression was "a part of Nordic design."
At 25, he was the youngest recipient among an illustrious list of past winners, including Hans J. Wegner, Tapio Wirkkala, Kaj Franck, and Timo Sarpaneva.
In the same year, he won a silver medal at the Milan Triennale, solidifying his international reputation and quickly transforming him from an "iconoclast" to a "darling of his era," marking a turning point in his design career.

His activities were not limited to glass; from the early 1960s, he created works combining wrought iron and glass, as well as wood.
In 1968, he established the design company "Backström & Höglund AB" with Monica Backström, also a designer at Boda and his partner at the time, and worked on designs in a wide range of fields, including furniture and household goods.
Throughout his life, he produced paintings and bronze works, and was involved in commission works such as church wall decorations and furnishings, interior design, and public monuments, expanding his creative activities into diverse fields.

The artist in the glass factory featured in the film "Mitt liv som hund" (My Life as a Dog) by the Swedish master director Lasse Hallström is modeled after Erik Höglund, depicting him before he gained recognition.