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 Crystal Decanter by Block c.1950
By Block Crystal
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Elevate your barware collection with this Block crystal decanter, which is a high-quality, handcrafted item renowned for its superior material and brilliant appearance. Craf...
Crystal
Mid-Century Modernist Sculptural Crystal Decanter with Basin Form Stopper
Located in New York, NY
This Mid-Century Modernist sculptural crystal decanter, created circa 1960, showcases the clean lines and elegant minimalism that defined the era’s design sensibilities. Made of clea...
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Mid-Century Clear Glass Decanter Signed Eugene Von Boch for Villeroy & Boch
Located in New York, NY
This elegant and minimal decanter in transparent glass originates from Germany during the 20th Century signed Eugene Von Boch for Villeroy and Boch. The body of the piece is well bal...
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$350
H 8.75 in W 4.75 in D 2.75 in
Mid-Century Strombergshyttan (Attributed, Unsigned) Crystal Flask Decanter
By Strombergshyttan
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a mid-century Strombergshyttan (attributed, unsigned) crystal flask, Strombergshyttan, a Swedish art glass company. Features a sleek, curved square body with ...
Crystal
Vintage Swedish Crystal Decanter from Strömbergshyttan, 1950s
By Strombergshyttan
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Heavy Strömbergshyttan crystal decanter. Crafted of thick Strömbergshyttan crystal with it's characteristic light blue hue. The very one-dimensional looking stopper suggest that Elis...
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Vintage Baccarat Talleyrand Crystal Decanter
By Baccarat
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Beautiful and sleek decanter by Baccarat. Created in a smaller scale, this is a beautiful piece that will hold your whiskeys/spirits in great style. In great condition with a small...
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$465
H 11.5 in Dm 4.5 in
Mid-Century Modernist Crystal Decanter with Drop form Stopper Signed Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
This elegant and beautifully formed Mid-Century Modernist Crystal Decanter Signed Baccarat originates from France during the 20th Century. This decanter features a beautifully achiev...
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Glass Decanter by Strömbergshyttan Sweden dated back to 1950s
By Strombergshyttan
Located in Lejre, DK
This glass decanter was produced by Strömbergshyttan, a prominent Swedish glassworks company, around the 1950s. Strömbergshyttan, originally established in 1876 as Lindefors Glasbruk...
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Modernist Crystal Glass Cylinder Form Liquor Decanter
Located in Ferndale, MI
Cylinder form decanter with ball stopper.
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Mid-Century Modernist Drop Form Crystal Decanter signed Baccarat
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite Mid-Century Modernist drop-form crystal decanter, created by the legendary French house of Baccarat circa 1960, is a stunning example of refined elegance and craftsman...
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