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.
$200Sale Price|20% Off
Crystal Jewelry Dish Diamond Ring by Kosta Boda Sweden
By Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and fun 'Diamond' solitaire ring crystal jewelry dish by Swedish maker Kosta Boda, Sweden. Jewelry dish, designed in the shape of a diamond ...
Crystal
Kosta Boda 1980s White Swirl Crystal Bowl, Modern Decorative Design
By Kosta Boda
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Heavy mouthblown Swedish modern solid crystal decorative vide poche by Kosta Boda manufactured in the 1980s. Soft semicircle shaped clear art glass bowl with encased layered white or...
Crystal
Yellow Atoll Art Glass Dish by Anna Ehrner for Kosta Boda, 1980s
By Anna Ehrner
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Thick, heavy and lemon-colored small art glass bowl from Kosta Boda in Sweden. It was designed by Anna Ehrner in the mid 1980s. The bowl is called Atoll and it features swirl-work in...
Glass
Kosta Boda Atoll Black Large Bowl Design Anna Ehrner
By Kosta Boda
Located in Bochum, NRW
Heavy and thick blown glass large bowl "Atoll" by Anna Ehrner for Kosta Boda, Sweden. Original manufacturer label on the wall. Excellent condition. Dimensions: Diameter 17,5 cm, hei...
Blown Glass
19th century Opaline Ring Holder / Jewelry Dish
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Elegant ring holder or videpoche from the Napoleon III period. The ring holder is in white opaline enhanced with several golden edgings on the foot. The cup is illustrated with gold...
Opaline Glass
Vintage Kosta Boda Fluted Crystal Bowl
By Kosta Boda
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Based upon an Art Deco design from the 1940s this full lead clear crystal bowl from Kosta Boda in Sweden tics all the right boxes when it comes to Art Deco styling. The particular ex...
Crystal
19th century Opaline Ring Holder / Jewelry Dish
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Elegant ring holder or videpoche from the Napoleon III period. The ring holder is in blue opaline enhanced with several golden edgings on the foot. The cup is illustrated with golde...
Opaline Glass
$720
H 1.58 in W 18.51 in D 12.6 in
Kosta Boda Art Glass Tray, Scandinavian Modern, Denmark, 1960s Design
By Kosta Boda
Located in Esbjerg, DK
tray in art glass. Made by Kosta Boda. Signed.
Art Glass
Vintage Swedish Glass Bowl Plate by Kosta Boda, 13.78" Diameter, 1970s
By Kosta Boda
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Swedish Glass Bowl Plate from Kosta Boda, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 proof of authenticity such as vintage catal...
Glass
Vintage Swedish Glass Bowl by Kosta Boda, Blue, 6.69" Diameter, 1970s
By Kosta Boda
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Swedish Glass Bowl from Kosta Boda, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional i...
Glass
Kosta Boda Vision Dish Pink Amber
By Göran Wärff
Located in Wilkes Barre, PA
Vision is a colorful creation by the legendary glass artist Göran Wärff, who, with his love for nature and light, became the master of optical illusions. Inside the base of this magn...
Crystal
Edvin Ollers for Kosta Boda Pair of Glass Bowls
By Kosta Boda, Edvin Ollers
Located in Long Island City, NY
A pair of emerald green glass bowls by Edvin Ollers, a painter who also designed glass and pewter objects. We are particularly attracted to the glassware he designed for Kosta before...
Glass
$635
H 4.93 in Dm 6.7 in
Göran Wärff for Kosta Boda ‘Vagga’ Crystal Glass Bowl – Swedish Art Glass Design
By Göran Wärff, Kosta Boda
Located in Västra Frölunda, SE
A timeless masterpiece by Göran Wärff for Kosta Boda, the Vagga crystal glass bowl is a celebrated example of Scandinavian art glass design. Crafted with exceptional precision, this ...
Crystal