Knut Bergqvist was the glass blower who created the ‘graal’ technique at Orrefors in 1916 shortly after the glassworks had been bought by Mr Ekman, an industrialist who wanted the Orrefors’ estate mainly for its forest assets and acquired the glassworks by accident.
Ekman appointed one of his managers, Albert Ahlin, to look after the glassworks, and he employed Bergqvist, who worked there until 1929.
In the same year Bergqvist moved to Lindefors, a small glass works that he had acquired and was to manage himself. Unfortunately for Bergquist 1929 coincided with the great depression in USA which also had many ramifications throughout Europe. Bergquist’s market suddenly collapsed and the Lindefors works was sold again.
Bergqvist's mastery and innovation were recognised internationally. He was among the artisans from Orrefors who received a gold medal at the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris.
