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.
Mid-Century Modern Snowflake Pendant Light by Orrefors, 1955
By Orrefors, Kosta Boda
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish hanging snowflake pendant, ceiling light made of hand blown Orrefors glass and chrome, produced by Orrefors, featuring a one light socket in good...
Metal, Chrome
1960s Pendant Lamp by Erik Höglund with Purple Glass for Boda Glasburk Sweden
By Erik Höglund, Kosta Boda, Einar Backstrom
Located in London, GB
1960 Sweden suspension or pendant, designed by Erik Höglund for the glassmaker Boda Glasbruk (later known as Kosta Boda). This pentagonal pendant lam...
Metal
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Erik Hoglund Chandelier
By Axel Strömberg Ironworks, Kosta Boda
Located in San Diego, CA
Four arm glass and wrought iron chandelier designed by Erik Hoglund. Glass done at Boda Nova Glassworks and the iron work was done at Axel Stromberg Ironwor...
Wrought Iron
Suspension by Erik Sylvester Höglund for Kosta Boda, 1960
By Kosta Boda
Located in MONTESSON, FR
This pendant lamp was designed by Swedish designer Erik Sylvester Höglund for Kosta Boda in the 1960s. It features a sheet metal structure, decorated on each side with glass elements...
Sheet Metal
1960s Pendant Lamp by Einar Backström & Erik Höglund for Boda Glasbruck Sweden
By Einar Backstrom, Kosta Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in London, GB
1960s Sweden suspension or pendant lamp, designed by Einar Backström and Erik Höglund for the glassmaker Boda Glasbruk (later known as Kosta Boda). The enamel painted metal frame sh...
Metal
$1,235Sale Price|30% Off
Midcentury Pendant by Erik Höglund for Kosta Boda, Sweden
By Kosta Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Rare celling lamp by Swedish designer Erik Höglund for glass maker Kosta Boda Glass manufacturers. The frame is made in brass with attached round pieces of glass depicting the star s...
Brass
Erik Höglund and Kosta Boda Chandelier, 1960
By Erik Höglund
Located in Brussels, BE
Erik Höglund ans Kosta Boda (Sweden, 1932-1998) a chandelier for 12 candles, Sweden, 1960-70s. Wrought iron, cast and blown clear glass, height without links ca 95 cm, diameter ca 4...
Wrought Iron
Mid-Century Modern Glass & Brass Chandelier by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors
By Carl Fagerlund, Orrefors
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Mid-Century Modern chandelier was realized by the esteemed designer Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors in Sweden, circa 1960. It features a convex domed shade with undulating ...
Brass
$2,200
H 23.63 in Dm 17.72 in
Erik Höglund for Boda Smide, Iron & Glass Chandelier, Sweden, Circa 1965
By Erik Höglund
Located in FR
A striking mid-century chandelier designed by renowned Swedish artist Erik Höglund for Boda Smide, circa 1965. Crafted from black-lacquered iron, this sculptural piece features six a...
Iron
$4,490
H 19.69 in Dm 18.12 in
Mid-Century Modern Chandelier Pendant Light Kalmar 'Tulipan', Glass Brass, 1970
By Kalmar Lighting, Mazzega, Orrefors, Venini, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A fantastic light fixture model Tulipan by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna, Austria, manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (late 1960s or early 1970s). The name Tulipan derives from the tulip s...
Metal, Brass
Pendant Lamp by Erik Höglund & Einar Bäckström Sweden, 1960s
By Erik Höglund, Einar Backstrom
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This striking pendant lamp, a collaborative design by Erik Höglund and Einar Bäckström from Sweden in the 1960s, showcases a blend of modernist aesthetics and Scandinavian craftsmans...
Glass, Blown Glass, Art Glass
Einar Bäckström, Pendant Light, Brass, Metal, Sweden, 1950s
By Einar Backstrom
Located in High Point, NC
An adjustable brass and white-lacquered metal pendant light produced by Einar Bäckström, Sweden, c. 1950s. Dramatic patina on brass. Wear consistent with age and use. Variable drop...
Metal, Brass
1960S/70S Large Glass and Brass Pendant Light by Orrefors, Swedish
By Orrefors
Located in London, GB
The ceiling light is a large light made with a series of 16 beautifully decorated glass panes held onto the frame by brass medallions. The chandelier is a great example of Orrefors's...
Brass
$1,670
H 57.49 in W 19.69 in D 7.09 in
Pendant Lamp by Einar Backström & Erik Höglund for Boda Glasbruk, Sweden, 1960s
By Einar Backstrom, Erik Höglund
Located in Bochum, NRW
Amazing Mid-Century Modern pendant lamp or hanging light. Designed by Einar Backström and Erik Höglund for Boda Glasbruk, Sweden, 1960s. Executed in enameled steel, brass, glass and...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Triple Pendant Light by Simon Henningsen, 1955
By Simon Poul Henningsen, Lyfa
Located in Hanover, MA
Tri-color suspension light fixture with brass and walnut armature from which suspend three textured plexi swirlled cylindrical shades in orange, yellow and aqua blue. Original solid ...
Brass
Swedish Modern Glass and Brass Pendant by Orrefors
By Carl Fagerberg, Orrefors
Located in Karlstad, SE
Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors, Ceiling Light, Sweden, 1950s An elegant ceiling light designed by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors in the 1950s. The fixture features three light sources con...
Brass
Pendant by Orrefors
By Orrefors
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pendant by Orrefors, Sweden, circa 1960. Textured clear glass with brass hardware. Single, Edison style socket. Existing European wiring, rew...
Crystal
$1,765
H 23.63 in Dm 16.54 in
Einar Bäckström mid-century rise and fall modernist pendant lamp, Sweden, 1950s
By Einar Backstrom
Located in Forserum, SE
An extraordinary mid-century pendant lamp, produced by the renowned Swedish manufacturer Einar Bäckströms Metallvarufabrik in the 1950s. It features three curved brass arms holding c...
Brass, Steel
Sold
H 9 in W 6.5 in D 6.5 in
Erik Hoglund Pendant Chandelier lamp Kosta Boda 1960s Sweden Glass & Metal
By Kosta Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and rare glass and metal frame pendant chandelier circa 1960's by Erik Hoglund all original patina nice finish beautiful glow no chips or cracks on the glass walls original...
Metal
Kosta Boda Light Fixture
By Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
Undulating waves are cast on the single glass shade both on the obverse and inverse sides. The inner face has then been cut for a contrasting pattern of light. The glass, clear and...
Cut Glass
Erik Höglund Pendant lamp Kosta Boda 1960s Sweden
By Kosta Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in Den Haag, NL
Swedish Art & Craft style Modern art glass & metal pendant lamp, designed by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda Sweden in the 1960s. The lamp is made of a mat Green metal frame with Fou...
Art Glass
Sold
H 7.88 in W 19.69 in D 6.3 in
Pendant Lamp by Einar Backström & Erik Höglund for Boda Glasbruk, Sweden, 1960s
By Einar Backstrom, Kosta Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in München, BY
Amazing Mid-Century Modern pendant lamp or hanging light. Designed by Einar Backström and Erik Höglund for Boda Glasbruk, Sweden, 1960s. Executed in enameled steel, brass, glass a...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
Sold
H 34 in W 17.5 in L 34 in
20th Century Orrefors Leaf Ceiling Lamp - Glass Ceiling Light by Carl Fagerlund
By Kosta Boda, Orrefors, Carl Fagerlund
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish ceiling lamp made of a chrome frame, featuring twelve leaves made of hand blown Orrefors glass, featuring a four light socket, designed by Carl F...
Metal, Chrome
Nine-Candle Chandelier by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous nine-candle chandelier by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda, circa 1960s. The chandelier which is made of wrought iron and glass was des...
Wrought Iron
Fifteen Candle Chandelier by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare find! Gorgeous fifteen candle chandelier by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda, circa 1960s. The chandelier which is made of wrought i...
Wrought Iron
Blown Glass Chandelier by Erik Hoglund, Kosta Boda Sweden
By Kosta Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in Utrecht, NL
Chandelier for 6 candles by Swedish designer Erik Hoglund executed from blackened iron with blue glass ornaments and various signature handcrafted glass discs with impressed images o...
Iron
Erik Hoglund Kosta Boda 1960s Gilded Swedish Midcentury Chandelier
By Kosta Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in New York, NY
A 1960s Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda six-light gilded chandelier with handblown glass elements. Rewired. 48" height shown. It has two extra 10" links to make longer. Excellent condition.
Crystal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Candle Chandelier by Erik Hoglund for Boda Nova
By Kosta Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Nine-light candle chandelier by Erik Hoglund for Boda Nova.
Iron
Erik Hoglund Kosta Boda 1960s Gilded Swedish Mid Century Chandelier
By Erik Höglund, Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
A 1960s Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda six-light gilded chandelier with handblown glass elements. Rewired. 48" height shown. It has two extra 10" links to make longer.
Crystal, Iron, Gold Leaf
Erik Höglund Pendant for Boda, Sweden, 1960s
By Erik Höglund, Kosta Boda
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pendant in cast iron and glass, designed by Erik Höglund for Boda, 1960s.
Wrought Iron