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.
1970s Sweden Kosta Boda Ice Glass Candle Holder Goran Warff
By Kosta Boda
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Sweden Kosta Boda Polar Ice Art Glass Votive Candle Holder by Goran Warff 3.25 h x 4 diameter Preowned original vintage condition See all images provided.
Art Glass
Brutalist Sunflower Glass Candlestick by Göran Wärff, Kosta Boda, Sweden 1970s
By Iittala, Holmegaard, Göran Wärff, Tapio Wirkkala, Kosta Boda
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Crystal glass candlestick, design by Göran Warff for Kosta Boda, Sweden in the 1970s. Groovy mid-century design classic from Scandinavia. Great design in colourless glass with a bru...
Art Glass
Pressed Glass Amber Chandelier Erik Höglund Sweden, 1960s
By Erik Höglund, Kosta Boda
Located in London, GB
Description: A wrought-iron and pressed-glass chandelier designed by Erik Höglund for Kosta Boda during the 1960s. The blackened wrought-iron framework of this 6-armed chandelier is ...
Iron
Set of 3 Swedish Crystal Sunflower Candlesticks by Göran Wärff for Kosta Boda
By Göran Wärff, Kosta Boda
Located in San Diego, CA
Set of three vintage Swedish crystal sunflower candlesticks by Göran Wärff for Kosta Boda, circa 1970s. This beautiful trio of clear glass candleholders is in good vintage condition with no chips or cracks, measuring approximately: Large 11"H x 4"W x 3"D Medium - 7.5"H x 4"W x 3"D Small - 4.75H x 4"W x 3"D These 3 vintage Kosta Boda sunflower...
Crystal
$120Sale Price / set|20% Off
Ann Wolff Snowball Glass Crystal Candle Holder for Kosta Boda, Sweden, 1980s
By Kosta Boda
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Ann Wolff Snowball Glass Crystal Candle Holder for Kosta Boda, Sweden, circa 1980s.
Crystal
$216Sale Price / set|20% Off
Kosta Boda Vintage Crystal Cut Candle Holders
By Kosta Boda
Located in Bochum, NRW
Kosta Boda vintage crystal cut candle holders, Sweden 1960s. Manufacturer original label, each signed and form number on the bottom. Excellent condi...
Crystal
1970s "Sunflower" Glass Candle Holder by Goran Warff for Kosta Boda, Sweden
By Göran Wärff, Kosta Boda
Located in Andernach, DE
Chunky crystal glass candle holder, candlestick by Göran Warff for Kosta Boda, Sweden in the 1970s. Gorgeous heavy mid-century design classic from Scandinavia. Ideal for a tealight o...
Crystal
$680Sale Price / set|20% Off
Glass Candle Holders by Kosta Boda Sweden
By Kosta Boda
Located in San Diego, CA
Minimalist and incredibly glamorous pair of Kosta Boda glass candle holders. The pair exhude beautiful lines that can streamline or maximize elegance in your décor. Crystal clear gla...
Glass, Paint
$300Sale Price / set|20% Off
Three Glass Votive Candleholder In Hammered Iron by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda
By Erik Höglund, Kosta Boda
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful three glass votive candleholder in hand hammered iron by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda, circa 1960s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks to...
Iron
Set Of Two Candelabras designed by Eik Hogland, Sweden
By Johan Erik Hoglander, Kosta Boda
Located in Antwerp, BE
A decorative set midcentury modern four-armed table candelabras, designed by Erik Höglund for Kosta Boda. Made in wrought iron, amber glass, 1970s.
Metal, Wrought Iron
Blue Pressed Glass Chandelier Erik Höglund Sweden, 1960s
By Erik Höglund, Kosta Boda
Located in London, GB
Description: A wrought-iron and pressed-glass chandelier designed by Erik Höglund for Kosta Boda during the 1960s. The blackened wrought-iron framework of this 6-armed chandelier is ...
Iron
Brutalist Sunflower Glass Candlesticks Pair, Göran Wärff, Kosta Boda Sweden 1970
By Iittala, Göran Wärff, Holmegaard, Tapio Wirkkala, Kosta Boda
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Crystal glass candle holders, design by Göran Warff for Kosta Boda, Sweden in the 1970s. Set of 2. Groovy mid-century design classic from Scandinavia. Great design in colourless gla...
Art Glass
Kjell Engman Clear Glass Candleholder for Kosta Boda
By Kjell Engman, Kosta Boda
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage clear glass pillar shaped candleholder designed by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda. Fits both tapered candles and tea candles. Designer: Kjell Engman Manufacturer: Kosta B...
Glass
Vintage Kosta Boda White Swirl Art Glass Pair of Candleholders, Votives
By Anna Ehrner, Kosta Boda
Located in Bochum, NRW
Vintage Kosta Boda white swirl art glass pair of votives, Sweden, 2000 White glass Moon votive with swirl motif, designed by Anna Ehrner, manufactured by Kosta Boda. Manufacturer lab...
Art Glass
Kosta Boda "Skyline" Candleholders by Anna Ehrner, a Pair
By Kosta Boda, Anna Ehrner
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage pair of triangular "Skyline" clear glass candleholders designed by Anna Ehrner in 1989. Fits tea candle diameter candles. Kosta Boda labels attached to both candleholders. ...
Crystal
Tall Swedish Glass Block Candleholder by Goran Warff for Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda, Göran Wärff
Located in New York, NY
Tall 1980s Swedish glass block candleholder by Goran Warff. Votive candle appears to float within the crystal block, creating a beautiful ambiance. Signed and numbered with engraved...
Art Glass
Lot Three Swedish Modern Art Glass Candlesticks by Vallien for Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda, Ulrica Hydman-Vallien
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Lot of three large hand blown glass candlestick holder designed by Swedish glass artist Ulrica Hydman-Vallien (1938-2018). Each candle...
Art Glass
Ann Wolff, Storm Tea Light Holders, Glass, Sweden, 1970s
By Kosta Boda
Located in High Point, NC
A set of four glass tea light holders designed by Ann Wolff and produced by Kosta Boda, Sweden, c. 1970s. Minor remnants of candle grease prese...
Glass
Scandinavian Modern Crystal Candlestick Holders Kjell Engman, Sweden, Set of 3
By Kjell Engman, Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of three (3) of Scandinavian Modern clear crystal candlestick holders by designer Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda, Sweden. With maker's mark, designers' signature, and nu...
Crystal
HOLIDAY GIFT - Pair of Candle Holders by Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda, 1960s
By Bertil Vallien, Kosta Boda
Located in Bochum, NRW
Set of Two Candle Holders Designed by Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda in the 1960s. Mid-century sculptural tealight votives, made of art glass and shaped like Greek heads, are in very ...
Glass
A pair 1970s Vintage Ann Warff Kosta Boda Snowball Votive Candle Holders
By Kosta Boda, Goran and Ann Warff
Located in Charleston, SC
This is a set of vintage 1970's Kosta Boda Snowball Candle Holders by Ann Warff. Crafted out of heavyweight, lead-free, clear crystal. Original sti...
Crystal
$750 / set
Large Kosta Boda Glass Candle Holders
By Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
1970s modern glass candle holders by Kosta Boda. Small candle holder width 3'' depth 3.5'' height 8.5''.
Art Glass
1 of the 3 Pairs of Crystal Glass Votive Candleholders by Ravenhead, England
By Kosta Boda
Located in Rijssen, NL
This pair of votive candleholders designed by by Ravenhead, England are heavy, substantial and gorgeous. Inspired by nature. Also gorgeous on a holiday table! Please notice the price...
Glass
$360Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Crystal Candle Holders by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda Sweden
By Kjell Engman, Kosta Boda
Located in San Diego, CA
Minimalist pair of crystal candle holders by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda, circa 1990s. The pair are in great vintage condition with no c...
Crystal
Pair of Small Crystal Candle Holders in the Style of Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda
Located in Miami, FL
A fine quality pair of modern glass candle holders in the style of Kosta Boda pieces made that are Sweden, but may be the work of Littala Crystal from Finland. Perfect vintage condit...
Art Glass
Set of 3 Brutalist Glass Candlesticks by Göran Wärff, Kosta Boda Sweden 1970
By Göran Wärff, Iittala, Holmegaard, Tapio Wirkkala, Kosta Boda
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Crystal glass candle holders, design by Göran Warff for Kosta Boda, Sweden in the 1970s. Set of 3. One of the candlesticks is marked "Kosta Sweden". Groovy mid-century design classi...
Art Glass
Brutalist Sunflower Glass Candlesticks 3x, Göran Wärff, Kosta Boda Sweden 1970
By Göran Wärff, Iittala, Tapio Wirkkala, Kosta Boda, Holmegaard
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Crystal glass candle holders, design by Göran Warff for Kosta Boda, Sweden in the 1970s. Set of 3. One of the candlesticks is marked "handmade Kosta Sweden". Groovy mid-century desi...
Art Glass
$300Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Four Crystal Candlesticks by Goran Warff for Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda, Goran and Ann Warff
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous set of four crystal candlesticks by Goran Warff for Kosta Boda, circa 1970s. The candlesticks are 11", 9", 9" and 7.25" high and 3....
Crystal
$384Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of six "Sunflower" candlesticks, designed by Goran Warff, Sweden, 1960s
By Kosta Boda, Göran Wärff
Located in Chorzów, PL
A set of six iconic "Sunflower" candlesticks designed by Goran Warff for Kosta Boda in mid-20th century Sweden. Very good condition, no damage. 1. height 19cm diameter 10cm x 1 pc. 2...
Glass
Kosta Boda 'Brava' Glass Candlesticks by Ann & Göran Wärff — Set of Two, Sweden
By Goran and Ann Warff, Kosta Boda
Located in Västra Frölunda, SE
A beautiful pair of “Brava” glass candlesticks designed by the celebrated Swedish artists Ann & Göran Wärff for Kosta Boda. Hand-blown in Sweden, these sculptural pieces embody the W...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Mid-Century Modern Polar Candleholders by Goran Warff
By Kosta Boda, Göran Wärff
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Polar candleholders are a Swedish classic. When Goran Warff created the Polar collection in the late sixties at Kosta Boda, he gave his candlesticks a form of ice block playing on t...
Crystal
Wrought iron and glass candle lantern by Bertil Vallien for Boda - 1960s
By Bertil Vallien, Kosta Boda
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Wall decoration - Vase - Vintage Measures : 19cmx21cm H:36cm Materials : Glass - Wrought Iron Bertil Vallien is an artist who needs no further introduction for anyone who loves the...
Wrought Iron
Erik Höglund, Candelabra, Four-Armed, Kosta Boda, 1960s-1970s
By Erik Höglund, Kosta Boda
Located in Stockholm, SE
A four-armed floor candelabra, designed by Erik Höglund for Kosta Boda. Made in iron, blue glass and glass with motifs. 1960s-1970s.
Iron
Kosta Boda Crystal Candle Holders by Anna Ehrner, a Pair
By Kosta Boda, Anna Ehrner
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Two tall block-style candle holders in clear crystal, signed Kosta and Ehrner underneath on the bases. Each base is handsigned with Kosta, the model number and Ehrner. Anna Ehrne...
Crystal