Heritage
The family history in glass making extends well back in time.
The great grandfather, Gustav Augustsson worked for many years alongside the Swedish designers Simon Gate and Edward Hald to realize their visions and ideas. Most famous from that era is the Paris Exhibition in 1925, when Orrefors, Simon Gate and Edward Hald won the Grand Prix.
Gustav Augustsson - Sandvik glass factory, was one of only five masters who made the award winning objects to the exhibition in 1925 and for that was rewarded with a gold medal. The other four masters were: Viktor Jakobsson - Sandvik, Knut and Gustaf Bergquist - Orrefors and Master engraver Gustaf Abels - Orrefors.
Paris Exhibition 1925. The Swedish pavilion.
1920
Gustav Augustsson started his career very early at the age of 6. He began to work at Kosta glass factory when he was 12 and became a master at age 24.
Goblet made by Gustav Augustsson at Sandvik glass factory in 1920. Engraved with his own monogram, signed with dedication "to master blower Gustav Augustsson from Simon Gate".
1948
Börne Augustsson, like his father, began to work with glass at early age. He was 11 years old when he started to work at the Sandvik glass factory. Thereafter he moved and worked for a short amount of time at the glass factory in Åseda.
Later on he replaced his father as master at the Sandvik factory in 1948.
Bottle, designed and manufactured by Börne Augustsson at Åseda Glassworks in 1948. The series is also named after him.
1960
Made by Börne Augustsson at Sandviks glass factory in 1960.
1985
Lars Börnesson, the 4th generation of craftsmen started his career in Ekenässjön and later on Kosta glass factory where he met and worked with artist Lisa Bauer.
In 1985, the master engraver Lars Börnesson decided to found his own company. The name Vas Vitreum is Latin and means: ”object made of glass”.
Goblet, blown by Börne Augustsson and engraved by Lars Börnesson.
1998
The prestigious assignment to work with the artist Lisa Bauer to perform one of the world's largest handmade glass engravings in Linköping Cathedral went to Vas Vitreum and Lars Börnesson. The engraving consists of 180 windows with the Virgin Maria in a floral dress. About ninety species from the Nordic flora can be seen in the windows. The whole process took ten years to complete.
2016
The 5th generation Mikael Kenlind joined the company in year 2002. Like his family he also started to learn the craft early. He was only 8 years old when his grandfather made him a small glass working bench. Some years later when he joined the company, his upbringing learning the craft had made it easy to take on the master position.
He also had the privilege to work with the Venetian master Benito Marcolin during his time at Vas Vitreum.
