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 Swedish Glass Bowl with Floral Decor by Ann Wärff for Kosta Boda, 1970s
By Kosta Boda
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Vintage Swedish Glass Bowl with Floral Decor by Ann Wärff for Kosta Boda, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. This piece has an attribution mark. Additional...
Glass
Vintage Swedish Glass Bowl from Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Swedish Glass Bowl from Kosta Boda, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 I have official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, designer records, or other ...
Glass
Mid-Century Modern Handblown Glass Cup by Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Mid-Century Modern handblown glass cup by Kosta Boda.
Glass
Vintage Silver Plated Rose Decor Fruit Bowl Catchall, Sweden
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful silver plated bowl with handle, vintage Sweden. Nice addition to every table. Some patina, but this is old-age. Measurements given in dimensions section show s the high w...
Metal, Silver Plate
Mid Century Kosta Vicke Lindstrand Bowl, Boda Art Glass
Located in Hook, Hampshire
Mid century Kosta Vicke Lindstrand bowl – boda art glass Mid century Kosta Vicke Lindstrand bowl – boda art glass. Made in Sweden in the Mid Century, stunning vibrant aqua colour wi...
Art Glass
Kosta Boda "Sunflower" Ashtray Art Glass by Goran Warff
By Göran Wärff, Kosta Boda
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
A biomorphic art glass "Sunflower" ashtray by Göran Wärff for Kosta Boda made in Sweden, circa the 1980s. The ashtray is in good vintage condition with no chips or cracks.
Art Glass
$1,206Sale Price|33% Off
H 14.5 in Dm 7 in
Vase by Kosta Boda, Sweden, Glass, Pink, Black and Yellow Colors, Face, C 1990
By Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
Decorative large vase by Kosta Boda, Sweden, circa 1990. The vase is hand painted.
Art Glass
$109Sale Price|35% Off
H 3.15 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in
Vintage Scandinavian Swedish Mid-century Modern Clear Crystal Corona Bowl, 1970s
By Orrefors, Lars Hellsten
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This crystal Corona Bowl was designed by Lars Hellsten for the Swedish glassworks Orrefors in the 1970s. Made of high-quality artistic crystal in the shape...
Crystal
$1,950
H 3.35 in Dm 8.08 in
Swedish Yellow, Handblown, Gustavian, 18th Century Glass Milk Bowl, circa 1780
Located in New York, NY
Swedish yellow 18th century Gustavian handblown glass milk bowl with pouring spout, circa 1780, origin: Sweden.
Blown Glass
$475
H 6 in W 6 in D 4 in
Swedish Mid-Century Modern Translucent Glass Vase by Göran Wärff for Kosta Boda
By Göran Wärff, Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
This stunning sculptural vase base was realized by Göran Wärff for Kosta Boda in Sweden circa 1960. It features an ovoid body with an assymetrical cavern in the center- imbuing the p...
Glass
Large Vintage 1970s Rubberwood Decorative Bowl
Located in Cedar Falls, IA
Vintage segmented turned decorative bowl, large dimensions.
Wood
Vintage Regency Art Glass Bowl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite vintage pedestal bowl is a masterful study in contrasting textures and refined silhouettes. The centerpiece features a hand-blown clear glass bowl with a dramatic, und...
Art Glass
Goran Warff Kosta Boda Bowl, Internally Decorated with Botanical Designs
By Göran Wärff
Located in Phoenix, AZ
This modern art glass bowl is internally decorated with botanical designs. It's in mint condition and marked on the bottom Kosta, Warff & 57368. It is certainly made by the hands o...
Glass
Vintage ice glass ashtray by Kosta Boda, Sweden, 1970s
By Kosta Boda
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Amazing ice glass ashtray by Kosta Boda made in Sweden in the 1970s. The vintage ashtray is in excellent vintage condition. Dimensions: Width: 16...
Glass
Vintage Glass Floral Bowl
Located in Duxbury, MA
Vintage glass bowl with floral design.
Glass
Mid-Century Modern Etched Glass Swedish Bowl & Serving Dish Signed Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful Mid-Century Modern bowl with serving dish was realized by the esteemed maker Kosta Boda in Sweden, circa 1960. It features a conical form with a flared circular mouth ...
Glass
Sold
H 5.63 in Dm 8.5 in
Postmodern Designer Bowl Hearts by Artist Ulrica Hydman-Vallien for Kosta Boda
By Ulrica Hydman-Vallien, Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
A fun and beautiful Postmodern Swedish bowl, hand painted with big red hearts, signed by Artist, Ulrica Hydman-Vallien, for Kosta Boda, Sweden, late 20th century. Artist/designer: Ul...
Glass
Swedish Amber and Cobalt Vision Glass Bowl by Göran Wärff for Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda, Göran Wärff
Located in Astoria, NY
A decorative amber colored art glass bowl, with conical oval shape on cobalt base, with the inclusion of small controlled bubbles, by Swedish designer Göran Wärff, produced by Kosta ...
Art Glass
Vicke Lindstrand Art Glass Bowl for Kosta
By Kosta Boda, Vicke Lindstrand
Located in Astoria, NY
A vintage art glass bowl, created by Swedish designer Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta, circa 1950s. Red glass bowl with 'crosshatching' or 'cane-work' motif on a clear stand. Markings inc...
Glass
A Shimmering Swedish 1960's Lobed Crystal Bowl; Acid Etched 'Kosta'
By Kosta Boda
Located in San Francisco, CA
A shimmering and thickly-modeled Swedish 1960's lobed crystal bowl; acid etched 'Kosta'; the thick bowl with scalloped rim above a body of connected petals tapering to the base
Signed Kosta Boda Acid Etched Irredescent Glass Bowl
By Kosta Boda
Located in North Miami, FL
This is the work of the most internationally acclaimed glass artist in Sweden; Bertil Vallien.. it is signed on the bottom of the bowl. it is acid etched with symbols and real gold ....