Sweden’s oldest glass company, Kosta Boda, also enjoys a reputation as the country’s most artistic and experimental glassmaker. Since the late 19th century, Kosta Boda has hired painters, sculptors and other artists for short stints — generally two or three years — designing glassware, ensuring that the firm’s aesthetic is always lively and fresh.
Two former army officers founded Kosta Boda in 1742 in Sweden’s densely forested Småland province. (Plentiful timber was needed as fuel for the melting furnaces.) The glassworks’ early products consisted of everyday glassware, such as drinking vessels and windowpanes. As the company recruited master craftsmen from Bohemia, it created fine crystal for an aristocratic clientele.
Kosta Boda began making art glass — that is, unique and limited edition pieces — with the hiring of the painter Gunnar Wennerberg in 1898. Wennerberg worked in the Art Nouveau style and brought a lush, organic look to the company’s wares. He was followed to the firm by artists such as Edvin Ollers, who in the early 20th century created rich geometric and abstract floral patterns that were engraved on clear crystal.
Two postwar Kosta Boda designers stand foremost in the minds of collectors. One is Vicke Lindstrand, who excelled at a technique called cased glass, in which a vividly colored or patterned section of glass is surrounded by and seems to float within a clear crystal body. The other is Erik Höglund, who had an almost artisanal eye for glass shapes, and liked to produce glass that had a textured, warped look.
Kosta Boda created works in an astonishing array of styles, with something to suit any taste.
Find vintage Kosta Boda vases, bowls and other furniture and objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Vintage Crystal Art Glass Sculpture by Goeran Waerff for Kosta
By Kosta Boda
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Crystal Art Glass Sculpture by Goeran Waerff for Kosta A glass sculpture by Swedish glass artist Goeran Waerff for Kosta Boda. The sculpture consists of a round, blue and ye...
Art Glass
Vintage Multi Color Glass Egg Sculpture by Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda, Monica Backström
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage hand-blown Art glass sculpture by Kosta Boda. This sculpture, shaped like an egg and in soft and bright hues of blues, lavender and whites was created by Monica Bac...
Glass
Kosta Glass and Iron Table Sculpture
By Kosta Boda
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A small tabletop sculpture.
Art Glass
$180Sale Price|20% Off
1970's Kosta Boda Lovely Lion Zoo Art Glass Figure Sculpture by Bertil Vallien
By Bertil Vallien, Kosta Boda
Located in San Diego, CA
Great Kosta Boda art glass lion sculpture figurine from the Boda Zoo series and dates from the 1970's. Designed by Bertil Vallien and was made in Sweden...
Art Glass
Unique Glass Sculpture by Monica Backström for Kosta Boda Sweden 1990s
By Kosta Boda, Monica Backström
Located in Barcelona, ES
Unique glass sculpture made by Monica Backström for Kosta Boda in the 1990s. Consists of two cylinder shaped glass vessels stacked on each other, both...
Art Glass
Kosta Boda Ann Walff Art Glass Sculpture, Clear with Blue
By Kosta Boda, Goran and Ann Warff
Located in Toledo, OH
This art glass sculpture was made by Ann Wolff(1937-) for Kosta Boda Studios. Ann Wolff is a German art glass sculptor who is considered one of the founders of the international Stud...
Art Glass
Glass Sculpture, Limited Edition By Göran Wärff For Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda, Göran Wärff
Located in Lejre, DK
This glass sculpture, a limited edition piece by Göran Wärff for Kosta Boda, is a striking example of contemporary art glass. Crafted from f...
Art Glass
$699Sale Price|25% Off
H 8.67 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Antique Abstract Fish Crystal VICKE LINDSTRAND Sculpture, Minimal Glass, Kosta
Located in Wembley, GB
Beautifully stylized a minimalistic abstract crystal fish figurine with a great balance of harmony, portrays the purity of the inner world through characteristic beauty. This unique ...
Crystal, Rock Crystal
$412Sale Price|40% Off
H 5.51 in W 7.87 in D 3.14 in
Crystal glass paper weight made and signed by Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta Sweden
By Vicke Lindstrand, Kosta Boda
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A fantastic rather large handmade vintage glass sculpture or paperweight made and signed by Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta, Sweden. This piece is showcasing his enormous talent as a glas...
Art Glass, Cut Glass
$437
H 2.37 in W 2.37 in D 1.58 in
Bertil Vallien fo Kosta Boda Sweden miniature sculpture Stair ”Entrance” 1993
By Bertil Vallien
Located in Delft, NL
Bertil Vallien fo Kosta Boda Sweden miniature sculpture Stair ”Entrance” 1993
Art Glass
$200
H 6.3 in W 3.94 in D 1.97 in
Paul Hoff for Kosta Boda / WWF. Glass sculpture of a salmon in clear art glass.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Paul Hoff for Kosta Boda / WWF Glass sculpture of a salmon in clear art glass, 1970s. Hand-cast art glass figure of a leaping salmon, executed in clear glass with finely detailed nat...
Art Glass
Set of Monica Backstrom for Kosta Boda Mushrooms, 1970’s
By Monica Backström
Located in Delft, NL
Dimensions: From left to right 1st photo: White : 11cm diameter , 6cm Height Blue : 10,5cm Height 7,5cm Diameter Brown: 16cm Heigth , 12cm Diameter White: 13cm Height, 10,5cm Diamete...
Art Glass
Kosta Boda Headman
By Bertil Vallien
Located in Wilkes Barre, PA
The renowned Swedish glass artist Bertil Vallien has created Headman, an art glass object in clear glass with silver leaves inside, forming a face. The head is a recurring Bertil Val...
Crystal
Göran Wärff, Glass sculpture, Kosta Boda, Sweden
By Göran Wärff
Located in Stockholm, SE
An asymmetrical sculpture in solid glass. Made by Göran Wärff for Kosta Boda. Made in the later part of the 20th century. Heavy glass sculpture in the form of a twisted prism. Sign...
Art Glass
Kosta Boda My Palace Globe Clear
By Bertil Vallien
Located in Wilkes Barre, PA
My Palace Globe is a collection of exquisite “globes” enclosed by a transparent house. These hand-made globes shift in color and style, similar to the ocean exposed to a change in li...
Crystal
Stylized Fish Sculpture by Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta 1953
By Vicke Lindstrand, Kosta Boda
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Stylized Fish Sculpture by Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta 1953 A stylized crystal fish sculpture designed by the Swedish designer Vicke Lindstrand (1904-1983) for Kosta. Made in Sweden,...
Art Glass
$200
H 5 in W 9 in D 1.75 in
Large Art Glass Hippo Paperweight / Sculpture in the Style of Kosta Boda Sweden
By Kosta Boda
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice large art glass hippo paperweight / sculpture in the style of Kosta Boda Sweden, circa 1980s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with ...
Art Glass
$360Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.5 in W 2.75 in D 2 in
Poncho Green Art Glass Catwalk Sculpture by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda Sweden
By Kosta Boda, Kjell Engman
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice poncho green art glass "Catwalk" sculpture / figurine by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda Sweden, circa 1980s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cra...
Art Glass
$579
H 6.2 in W 6 in D 3.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Ice Sculpture Etched Seal by Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta Boda
By Vicke Lindstrand, Kosta Boda
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous hand carved block of glass into a Ice Sculptural block replecating a ice burg with a Seal poking his head up and into the opening. Remarkably subtle and in excellent conditi...
Glass
Sold
H 14 in W 3.25 in D 3.25 in
Majestic Rare Pair of Tall Glass Sculptures by Vicke Linstrand for Kosta Signed
By Kosta Boda, Vicke Lindstrand
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare pair of glass sculptures tall in triangle shape with etched lines cirrca 1970's , one side is frosted and tother smoth, signed numbered Vicky Lindstrad some chips on the ...
Glass
Sold
H 11.5 in W 27.5 in D 2.5 in
Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda Set of 4 Sandblasted Swedish Glass Sculpture
By Kjell Engman, Kosta Boda
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
Swedish design at it's best! This beautiful, rare Kosta Boda house series by artist Kjell Engman. The series from 2001 consists of 4 buildings that sandblasted, leaning forms that...
Art Glass
Sold
H 8.75 in W 7 in D 3.25 in
Glass Sculpture Kjell Engman Atelier for Kosta Boda Sweden Signed and Numbered
By Kjell Engman, Kosta Boda
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
This is a beautiful Glass Sculpture by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda made in Sweden. The back is signed and numbered. It retains its original Kosta Boda sticker.
Metal
Kjell Engman Kosta Boda Art Glass Sculpture on Lighted Base
By Kosta Boda, Kjell Engman
Located in Skokie, IL
Kjell Engman Kosta Boda Sweden Art Glass Sculpture on Lighted Base This glass sculpture is reminiscent of Kjell Engman's "Inside" series, circ...
Art Glass, Wood
Sold
H 7.75 in W 4.75 in D 4.25 in
Vintage Reflections Glass Sculpture by Bertil Vallian for Kosta Boda c 1995
By Bertil Vallien, Kosta Boda
Located in Troy, MI
Vintage Bertil Vallian Kosta Boda Reflections Glass Sculpture Viewpoints collection sculpture titled Reflection model 99519 Design by Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda circa 1995 Glass...
Glass
Kosta Boda "Blues: Four Elements" Art Glass Objet D'art by Bertil Vallien
By Bertil Vallien, Kosta Boda
Located in Sacramento, CA
Kosta Boda “Blues: Four Elements” objet d’art by Bertil Vallien. The object is made of deep blue glass, hand-painted with a 22k gold figure. Handmade at Kosta Glassworks in Sweden; p...
Art Glass
Kosta Boda "Earth Home" Art Glass Objet D'art by Bertil Vallien
By Bertil Vallien, Kosta Boda
Located in Sacramento, CA
Kosta Boda “Earth Home” objet d’art by Bertil Vallien. The object in clear glass is colored light green and blue and has a small house, hand-painted with real 22 karat gold, at the t...
Art Glass
Sold
H 8.25 in W 8.25 in D 3.5 in
Kosta Boda "Black Elements: Black Moon" Art Glass Objet d'Art by Bertil Vallien
By Bertil Vallien, Kosta Boda
Located in Sacramento, CA
Kosta Boda “Black Elements: Black Moon” objet d’art by Bertil Vallien. From 2008, the object features Vallien’s signature head detail encased in a glass slab and resting in a metal b...
Metal
Sold
H 6.125 in W 3.25 in D 3.25 in
Kosta Boda "Black Elements: House of Mystery" Art Glass Objet D'art by Bertil Va
By Bertil Vallien, Kosta Boda
Located in Sacramento, CA
Kosta Boda “Black Elements: House of Mystery” objet d’art by Bertil Vallien. From 2008, the object features Vallien’s signature head detail encased in a solid block of glass on an op...
Art Glass
Rare Signed Bertil Vallien Tridimensional Glass Block Sculpture Post Modern
By Kosta Boda, Bertil Vallien
Located in San Diego, CA
Amazing glass block tridimensional sculpture signed, by Bertil Vallien, excellent condition signed at the bottom sitting on a black plastic block.
Art Glass
Vintage Yellow Art Glass Sculpture by Kosta Boda
By Monica Backström, Kosta Boda
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage hand-blown Art glass sculpture by Kosta Boda. This sculpture, shaped like an egg and in bright hues of yellow was created by Monica Backstrom for Kosta Boda. This p...
Glass
Sold
H 2.88 in W 6.75 in D 2.75 in
Bertil Vallien Kosta Boda Modern Green Boat with Man Swedish Art Glass Sculpture
By Bertil Vallien, Kosta Boda
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Boat sculpture. Swedish Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda Green Boat Art Glass Modern sculpture. Contemporary art glass sculpture, stand included. Limited edi...
Art Glass, Wood