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.
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
$946
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
$774 / item
H 8.67 in W 9.85 in D 1.97 in
1960's Art Glass Fish Designed by Stanislav Honzík for Nový Bor Glassworks
By Stanislav Honzik, Novy Bor Glassworks
Located in Praha, CZ
Set of three glass fish designed by academic painter and designer Stanislav Honzík in 1958. Produced by Nový Bor Glassworks in Czechoslovakia in the 1960's. Marked. The first fish ...
Art Glass
$180Sale Price|40% Off
H 4.25 in W 6.5 in D 2 in
Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Fish Sculpture by V. Nason
By Vincenzo Nason & Cie
Located in Warrenton, OR
Mid-Century Modern Murano Glass Fish Sculpture by V. Nason. ***NOTE: Our 1stDibs Shop is Closing end May.*** We LOVE this amazing fish! It is in very good vintage condition. IMPORTA...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Murano Glass Fish Sculpture by Alberto Dona
By Alberto Donà
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Fantastic hand blown Murano glass fish by alberto Dona, signed.
Murano Glass
$204Sale Price|32% Off
H 5.5 in W 5.5 in D 1.75 in
Signed, Blown Art Glass Fish Sculpture by Josef Marcolin
By Marcolin Art Crystal
Located in Warrenton, OR
Signed, Blown Art Glass Fish Sculpture by Josef Marcolin. ****NOTE: Our Shop is Closing end May; items will not be available thereafter.*** A very special sculpture. Blue and wine-red blown glass fish by the Italian Murano glass blower Josef Marcolin. Measures approximately 5.5 x 5.5 x 1.75 inches. Josef Marcolin (1933-2015), who originallly lived and was trained as a glassblower in Murano, Italy, moved to Sweden with his brother Benito in 1954. They made beautiful blown glass/crystal sculptures, such as this one, that are known for their stunning, unique blend of Murano and Swedish style. In 1991 they moved back to Italy and continued to create for a short time under the name Sardinia Crystal...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Mid-Century Handmade Glass Fish by Reijmyre, Sweden
By Reijmyre Glasbruk
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Handblown studio glass fish decoration by Swedish glass maker Reijmyre (established in 1810), unsigned.
Art Glass
$209Sale Price|20% Off
H 5.52 in W 5.32 in D 2.56 in
Mid Century Art Glass Fish Sculpture by Miloslav Janku for Železný Brod, 1960s
By Miloslav Janků, Zelezny Brod
Located in Lucenec, SK
Vintage 1960s smoky topaz fish studio art glass sculpture by Miloslav Janku for Železný Brod sklo. This is a stunning piece of studio art glass made by...
Glass, Art Glass, Smoked Glass
Murano Glass Large Fish Sculpture by Licio Zanetti, 1960s
By Licio Zanetti
Located in Barcelona, ES
Murano Alexandrite Purple Blue Neodymium Glass Fish Figure by Licio Zanetti Spectacular XXL Murano glass color changing lilac blue fish sculpture by Licio Zanetti. Italy, 1960-1970. ...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$416
H 1.78 in W 3.55 in D 0.99 in
Bertil Vallien for Kosta boda Sweden Miniature sculpture Fish , 1990’s
By Bertil Vallien
Located in Delft, NL
Dimensions: 9cm W, 4.5cm H, 2.5cm D Period: 1990’s Condition: Mint Material: Glass
Art Glass
Ritts Co. Mid-Century Modern Lucite Fish Sculpture, USA, 1970s Design
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Ritts Co. Pair of Lucite Fish. Fish spin on an aluminum pin so you can place them in your desired position. Nice Original condition with one spot on the tail as seen in photos.
Lucite
Small Glass Vase by Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta, 1950s
By Vicke Lindstrand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Small Glass Vase by Vicke Lindstrand for Kosta Sweden, circa 1950s. Engraved "Kosta LH 1382" "clear glass internally decorated with black lines"
Glass
1960's Italian Murano Glass Sommerso Teardrop Sculpture by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Flavio Poli Teardrop Art Glass Sculpture in shades of pink, blue and greens! Nice size perfect to use by itself or in a grouping.
Art Glass
Vicke Lindstrand Hand-Chiseled Art Glass Bowl, Denmark, 1960
By Vicke Lindstrand, Orrefors
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vicke Lindstrom hand-chiseled Art glass bowl. Has the look of a piece of ice that has been Chiseled and formed. Beautiful simple Bowl signed on bottom ...
Art Glass
Large "Pinched" Art Glass Vase by Winslow Anderson for Blenko, 1960s
By Winslow Anderson, Blenko Glass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large "Pinched" Art Glass Vase by Winslow Anderson for Blenko, 1960s "Great Color, Form, and Size" " this Vase will bring some Joy to any room"
Art Glass
Large Clam Shell Italian Art Glass Center Piece, circa 1980
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large Clam Shell Italian Art Glass Center Piece circa 1980 "statement piece for the center of any table or display shelves"
Art Glass
