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.
$1,206Sale Price|33% Off
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
$500Sale Price|20% Off
Swedish Postmodern Centerpiece Bowl by Ulrica Hydman-Vallien, 1990s
By Ulrica Hydman-Vallien, Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Postmodern Swedish art glass centerpiece bowl by artist and designer Ulrica Hydman-Vallien, circa 1990s, for Kosta Boda, Sweden. Centerpiece ...
Glass
Smoke Blue Glass Centre Piece Dish by Göran Wärff for Kosta Boda, Sweden 1970s
By Kosta Boda, Göran Wärff
Located in Barcelona, ES
Smoke blue glass dish / serving platter, designed by Göran Wärff for Kosta Boda, Sweden 1970s. Sits elegantly elevated on any surface due the shape of the base, letting the light shi...
Art Glass
Postmodern Gray Ceramic Braided Woven Abstract Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Stunning woven braided ceramic centerpiece bowl glazed in a wonderful shade of gray with some blue tones. Great size for a coffee table or entryway. Very unusual abstract shape, plea...
Ceramic
Ribera Handmade Large Centerpiece Bowl - Stoneware
By OWO Ceramics
Located in Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, AR
Beautiful large centerpiece bowl crafted from stoneware clay. Inspired by the vibrant marine life of the reef and the soft motion of ocean waves, this extra large fruit bowl showcases a distinctive blend of artistry and nature, capturing the tranquil beauty of the sea. Each centerpiece bowl is wheel-thrown and hand-glazed in our studio, featuring a soft, white matte finish that beautifully enhances the organic textures of the clay. The glaze has been specially formulated for this collection, reflecting the dedication and craftsmanship that goes into each piece. Ideal for keeping your weekly fruits out on the counter or as a striking standalone accent, this white centerpiece bowl...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
$1,569
H 1.97 in Dm 14.57 in
Large Handmade Hammered Silver Centerpiece Bowl by Renzo Cassetti, Italy 1970s
By Renzo Cassetti
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic large round shell shaped centerpiece completely handmade in hammered silver plate. This beautiful piece was designed by Renzo Cassetti in Italy in the 1970s and is signed i...
Silver Plate
XL Footed Resin Bowl Centerpiece in Yellow by Paola Valle
By Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
An elegant XL round bowl that is supported by four half spheres that make a fun, bold and unique piece great for holding fruit, plants and specially everyone's attention. You can hav...
Resin
Large Lalique Crystal Bowl Centerpiece
By René Lalique
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Beautifully hand crafted Lalique centerpiece decorative bowl in a wide open "V" form shape. The bowl is embellished by engraved frosted doves and large scrolls design details. Maker'...
Crystal
Art Deco Blue Glass Centerpiece Bowl by Rudolf Schrötter, 1970s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Poland, 1970s This is a thick and heavy blue glass bowl. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but overall it can be considered as in excellent...
Glass
$523
H 5.91 in W 14.97 in D 10.63 in
Art Deco Amber Blown Glass Bowl or Centerpiece by Brockwitz, Germany
By Brockwitz
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Germany by Brockwitz, 1930s - 1940s. This rare bowl / centerpiece is made in amber blown glass with parts that are satined. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show sl...
Blown Glass
Kosta Boda "Sunflower" Ashtray Art Glass by Goran Warff
By Kosta Boda, Göran Wärff
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
$2,092
H 2.29 in W 6.78 in D 5.4 in
Large Oval Cenedese Italian Blue Clear Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl Dish 1970s
By Cenedese, Antonio da Ros
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Antonio da Ros for Cenedese large and heavy vintage Italian Murano oval shaped glass bowl, serving dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, heav...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$455
H 2.76 in Dm 10.24 in
Large Handmade Hammered Silver Centerpiece Bowl by Renzo Cassetti, Italy, 1970s
By Renzo Cassetti
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful round centerpiece, entirely handcrafted in hammered silver-plated metal. This stunning piece was produced by Renzo Cassetti in Italy during the 1970s. The signature is engr...
Silver Plate
$180Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.25 in Dm 2.5 in
Miniature "Open Minds" Art Glass Vase by Ulrica Hydman-Vallien for Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda, Ulrica Hydman-Vallien
Located in San Diego, CA
Miniature "Open Minds" art glass vase by Ulrica Hydman-Vallien for Kosta Boda, circa 1980s. This beautiful piece is hand painted and in very good condition with no chips or cracks. T...
Art Glass
$859
H 13.5 in Dm 6.25 in
Mid Century Modern Art Glass Large Vase for Kosta Boda by Ulrica Hydman Valliens
By Kosta Boda, Ulrica Hydman-Vallien
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic simple and elegant designer Art Glass vase by Ulrica Hydman-Valliens for Kosta Boda. Open Minds is the vases name as it was blown in different sizes, this example being a t...
Art Glass
Mid-Century Sculptural Art Glass Candleholders by Kelly Engman for Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda, Kjell Engman
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of Art glass candleholders by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda c1975. 9 in tall bases vary from 4.35 to 4.25. In excellent condition. Signed on bases.
Art Glass
Sold
H 5.91 in W 5.52 in D 2.76 in
Original Göran Wärff Drop 2, 1kg Glass Object Vase for Kosta Boda AB Sweden, 1960
By Göran Wärff, Kosta Boda
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: glass vase Design: GÖRAN WÄRFF Origin: Sweden Producer: KOSTA Boda AB, Sweden Material: glass Age: 1960s Rare glass vase ...
Glass
Signed Scandinavian Glass Centerpiece Bowl with Gold Serpent Snake, 1990s
By Kosta Boda, Ulrica Hydman-Vallien
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful glass centerpiece bowl in blue, black and gold, with serpent snake or fish design, hand-painted and signed by artist Ulrica Hydman-Vallien for Kosta Boda. Made in Sweden,...
Art Glass