Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Glassmaking in Sweden
In the mid-16th century, King Gustav Vasa decided he wanted more fine
glass to decorate his palace, so he invited German glassmakers to train his
subjects, and the trend took off. It's no surprise that glassmaking caught
on here in Sweden. While the very rocky soil makes farming difficult, the
resources needed for glass are abundant: vast forests to fire the ovens, and
lakes with an endless supply of sand. By the difficult 19th century—when
a sixth of Sweden's population emigrated to North America—the iron
mills had closed, leaving behind unemployed workers who were highly
skilled at working with materials at high temperatures. Glassmaking was
their salvation, and by the early 1900s, this region had more than 100
glassworks.
While glassmaking was important throughout Sweden, it was in the
area between Växjö and Kalmar (engulfed in a dense forest) that it took
hold the strongest, and lasted the longest. When other materials became
cheaper than glass (for example, paper cartons instead of glass bottles),
the glassmaking industry was hit hard, and it dried up in other parts of
Sweden. But here in Glass Country, workers refocused their efforts: They
still make some everyday items, but their emphasis is on high-quality art
pieces that command top kronor. An Ikea wine glass made in China costs
10 kr, while a handmade Swedish one might cost 150 kr—but consumers
interested in quality are willing to pay that premium.
The glassmaking process is fascinating—and hasn't changed much
over the centuries. The glass begins as little white pellets that are about
70 percent sand (most of the sand for the clearest-color glass is imported
from Belgium). Soda and potash are added to lower the melting point,
and limestone and zinc are added to minimize boiling (and the resulting
bubbles). The final qualities of the glass are determined by other addit-
ives—glassmakers use a different mix for a thin champagne flute than for
a thick platter.
