Erickson Glass: Mid-Century Controlled Bubble Art Glass from Bremen, Ohio

Erickson Glass refers to the hand-blown art glass produced by Carl Erickson at his small glassworks in Bremen, Ohio, from approximately 1943 until his death in 1971. Erickson specialized in elegant free-blown glass featuring controlled air bubbles, available in a range of jewel-like colors including cobalt blue, emerald green, amethyst, ruby red, and smoke. His decanters, vases, ashtrays, and paperweights are prized for their clean Scandinavian-influenced design, meticulous craftsmanship, and the luminous quality of the glass itself.

History and Production

Carl Erickson was of Swedish descent, and his glass reflected the Scandinavian modern aesthetic popular in mid-century design. Working in a small studio in Bremen, Ohio, he produced relatively limited quantities of hand-blown glass. Each piece was individually crafted, and Erickson reportedly worked without assistants for much of his career. The glass was sold through gift shops and fine retailers. After his death in 1971, the glass was not continued, making the total production finite.

Types and Forms

• Decanters: Tall, elegant stoppered bottles; the most iconic Erickson form
• Vases: Various sizes and profiles, often with controlled bubble decoration
• Ashtrays and bowls: Heavy, thick-walled pieces with bubble inclusions
• Paperweights: Solid glass with controlled bubbles suspended inside
• Candleholders: Simple, modern forms in colored glass
• Pitchers: Functional pieces with applied handles
• Perfume bottles: Small stoppered bottles, often in vivid colors

Identification

• Unmarked: Most Erickson glass is unmarked; attribution relies on recognized forms, colors, and technique
• Controlled bubbles: Signature feature is regularly spaced air bubbles arranged in patterns within the glass
• Colors: Characteristic deep, saturated jewel tones; crystal with bubbles also produced
• Weight: Pieces are notably heavy for their size due to thick glass walls
• Polished pontils: Bases typically show ground and polished pontil marks
• No paper labels: Unlike some competitors, Erickson did not use paper labels that might have survived

Auction Price Ranges

Condition Factors

• Chips: Rim and base chips significantly reduce value on art glass
• Stoppers: Decanters must retain their original stoppers; replacement stoppers are obvious and devalue the piece
• Bubbles: The controlled bubble pattern should be even and well-executed; irregular patterns suggest lesser pieces
• Clarity: Glass should be clear within its color; cloudiness or internal haze is undesirable
• Scratches: Surface scratches from use diminish the optical quality that makes Erickson glass attractive

Collecting Tips

Erickson glass is an affordable mid-century art glass category that rewards the knowledgeable collector. Because pieces are unmarked, many are sold at estate sales and thrift stores without attribution, creating opportunities for informed buyers. Cobalt blue and emerald green pieces are the most popular colors. The tall decanters with flame or teardrop stoppers are the most recognized forms. Erickson glass pairs well with other mid-century Scandinavian-influenced glass such as Blenko and Pilgrim. The limited scholarship on Erickson means that careful study of documented examples in reference books and museum collections is important for confident attribution.