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.
Petite Cupid Crystal Vase
By Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
In classical mythology, Cupid is the god of desire, erotic love, attraction and affection. He is often portrayed as the son of the love goddess Venus and the war god...
Crystal
Periphas Kosta Boda Eagle Crystal Vase
By Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
Periphas was a legendary king of Attica and dutiful priest to Apollo. Zeus became indignant because Periphas was revered and honoured as if he were Zeus himself. Zeus wanted to destr...
Crystal
Leda and the Swan Mythology Crystal Vase
Located in New York, NY
A serene pose of a swan swimming beneath the overhanging branches of a weeping willow. This is a depiction of Leda and the Swan. Leda and the Swan is a story and subject in art from Greek...
Art Glass
Paul Kedelv Flygsfors Art Glass Table Lamps, Scandinavian Modern 1960
By Flygsfors
Located in New York, NY
Slim and elegant, these lamps are a tiny bit different from each other, as they are handmade. Fresh, green glass is encased in clear crystal. The lamps have been recently rewired, ...
Art Glass
Set of Swedish Snaps Glasses
Located in New York, NY
Stylized with the marque of Gustav III, this simple set of snaps glasses evokes the glory of the Swedish Empire for the bourgeoisie of the Swedish Grace period. The glass is designed...
Glass
Art Glass Sconces
Located in New York, NY
Smooth, thick, clear glass with a molded golden glass interior of a random, woven pattern. Circa mid 1950, these pieces are of the Hollywood Regency style which is characterized by t...
Art Glass
Handmade Crystal Glass Vases with Irregular Bubble Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A pair of mouth blown crystal glass vases with a contemporary large irregular bubble décor. The heavy cylinder shaped crystal glass object has an artistic inclusion of white inserted...
Crystal
Edouard Cazaux Glass Vase
By Edouard Cazaux
Located in Pompano Beach, FL
An Edouard Cazaux molded and acid etched glass vase, circa 1930 inscribed Cazaux/Gueron.
Glass
Toso Renato Italian Murano Glass Vases "Repetai" Miodel for Fratelli Toso, 1964
By Fratelli Toso
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of two Italian midcentury Murano glass vases model Repetai designed by Italian artist Toso Renato for Fratelli Toso in 1964 Publications: Gold Medal at the XXXIV Venice Inter...
Murano Glass
Pair of the Art Déco vases
Located in Wiesbaden, DE
Pair of the Art Déco vases Art Deco glass was produced using various techniques, including the use of reliefs. The production of Art Deco glass reliefs was a time-consuming process t...
Glass
Cristal vase 1950s, A. Churba
By Alberto Churba
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Of the most decorative and modern pieces by the designer, Argentine architect Alberto Churba. Alberto Churba Konex Platinum Award 1982: Design He was born on 08/02/1932. Konex Platinum Award 1982. Professor of Drawing and Painting, graduated from the National School of Fine Arts (1954). In 1960 he created the Churba Studio (CH-Center of Art and Design), specialized in the design of furniture, textiles, carpets and glass. His works were exhibited in important galleries, museums and institutions dedicated to national and international art, including the Cinta 5 armchair exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A, England) and at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA, USA. ). Among other works, he designed upholstery textiles and beach canvases...
Glass
Mid-Century Modern Hand-Blown Glass Vases, Italy, 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of striking hand-blown glass vases flecked with 22 karat gold vases.
Gold
