HUGO GEHLIN. Glassware, 5 pcs., Gullakruf.

2 vases, 1 bowl on foot and 2 lidded bowls on foot.
Height 14-30 cm.

John Erik Hugo Gehlin was a Swedish artist born on September 8, 1889 in Norrköping and died on December 23, 1953 in Helsingborg. He was known as a glass artist, painter, graphic artist and sculptor. He showed early talent and interest in art and design. He studied at the Technical School (now Konstfack) 1911-1914 and studies in Copenhagen and Italy during the 1910s/20s. Ghelin was truly in the melting pot of modernism.

Hugo Gehlin had a significant period of his artistry tied to Gullaskruf's glass factory in Gullaskruv. He started working there as a glass artist and designer starting in 1930. He designed serving glasses and other decorative and useful glass objects and experimented with different colors and shapes. His works often showed a union of style purity and elegance. Gehlin had a love for the colors opal and indigo, which he used to create distinctive and attractive glass designs.

Gullaskruf's glass factory was founded in 1893 by Count Axel Emil Lewenhaupt on Gullaskruf's estate. At first, window glass was manufactured, but when the mechanization of manufacturing elsewhere out-competed Gullaskruf, the business was shut down in 1921. Gullaskruf's glass factory was however restarted in 1927, now as a small glass factory, and had its heyday from 1930 until the end of the 1950s. During this period, the glassworks flourished and played a decisive role in the development of the community Gullaskruv.

Gullaskruf's glass factory has had a varied history with periods of success and challenges. Despite setbacks, the glass factory has left a lasting impression on Swedish glass history and has been an important part of Gullaskruv's cultural and economic development.