The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 20, 2025

Velvet Vase

c. 1998–1999

Lena Bergstrom

(Swedish, b. 1961)
made at

Orrefors Glasshouse

(Swedish, est. 1898)
Swedish, Orrefors, late 20th century
glass
Overall: 20.5 x 15.4 x 10.3 cm (8 1/16 x 6 1/16 x 4 1/16 in.)
Gift of Lillian and Derek Ostergard in loving memory of William Gerhauser 2000.198
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

Bergström designs her glass vessels’ forms based on their intended display tables.

Description

The connecting of this design’s title with a fabric type links Bergström’s work in glass with her career as a textile designer. In glass, Bergström’s designs feature contrasting concepts, such as hardness and softness or convex and concave forms. Concerned with the overall balance of the vessel, Bergström has stated “The greatest beauty must be permitted to balance on the brink of failure.”
  • {{cite web|title=Velvet Vase|url=false|author=Lena Bergstrom, Orrefors Glasshouse|year=c. 1998–1999|access-date=20 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2000.198