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.
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
Vallien Kosta Boda Pink White Minos Art Glass Vase, 1984
By Kosta Boda, Bertil Vallien
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Exquisite rose pink and white art glass vase from the 1984 Minos series by Bertil Vallien for the Kosta Boda Artist Collection. Slim neck and narrow...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
"Tobago" Multi Colour Tall Glass Bottle Vase by Kjell Engman Kosta Boda, Sweden
By Kjell Engman, Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
"Tobago" hand blown glass vase multi color bottle vase by Swedish artist Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda, Sweden. Original Factory sticker present. En...
Art Glass
Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda Blue Satellite Art Glass Bottle Signed 89253
By Kosta Boda
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A "Blue Satellite" art glass bottle designed by acclaimed Swedish artist Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda. Signed and numbered "Boda, B. Vallien, 89253" on the underside. This hand-blow...
Glass
Kosta Boda Art Glass Bottle, Sweden, Late 20th Century
By Kosta Boda
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Kosta Boda Art Glass Bottle, Sweden, Late 20th Century A stunning art glass vase from Kosta Boda, Sweden. This sculptural piece features an elegant, elongated neck rising from a wid...
Art Glass
1960s Bertel Vallien Large Swedish Art Glass Vase by Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda, Bertil Vallien
Located in Knebel, DK
Early large and rare are art glass vase / bottle in very good condition with almost no signs of age and use designed by Bertel Vallien for Kosta Boda in the 1960s. The free-blown sw...
Blown Glass
Kjell Engman, Pair of bottles mod. Fidji multi color, prod. Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda, Kjell Engman
Located in Rivoli, IT
Pair of warm-colored bottles with rounded shapes and long, proud necks. Great skill is required on the part of artisans to create the unique color combinations and gently rounded sha...
Glass
Kosta Boda Cobalt Blue Art Glass Vase, Sweden, Late 20th Century
By Kosta Boda
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Kosta Boda Cobalt Blue Art Glass Vase, Sweden, Late 20th Century This art glass vase from Kosta Boda, Sweden, showcases the bold color palette and expressive craftsmanship for which...
Art Glass
$438Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.26 in Dm 4.02 in
Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda Blue Peacock Cirrus Vase, 1960s
By Kosta Boda, Bertil Vallien
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Striking blue, mouthblown controlled bubble art glass vase with decorative black eyes with clear middle resembling the eyes on peacock feathers. Designed and handmade by acclaimed Sw...
Glass, Art Glass
Kosta Boda Glass Vase or Planter Signed Bertil Vallien
By Kosta Boda
Located in Miami, FL
A lovely Kosta Boda glass vase or planter. The specked details makes this glass vase or planter very appealing accentuated by a purplish/blue rim. This decorative object is signed b...
Glass, Art Glass
$291
H 3.94 in Dm 5.91 in
Kosta Boda 'Rhapsody' Crystal Bowl by Kjell Engman – Swedish Art Glass, 1980s
By Kosta Boda, Kjell Engman
Located in Bochum, NRW
Celebrate the romance and artistry of Scandinavian design with this Kosta Boda “Rhapsody” crystal bowl, a poetic creation by acclaimed Swedish glass artist Kjell Engman. First introd...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
$140
H 2.96 in W 3.15 in D 1.97 in
Kosta Boda Bertil Vallien Volcano Series Mini Object Vase, Double Bubble 48136
By Boda, Kosta Boda, Bertil Vallien
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite mini object vase is a standout piece from Bertil Vallien's iconic Volcano series, designed in 1981. The unique double bubble shape is enhanced by the stunning iridesce...
Luster, Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
$396
H 4.73 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Kosta Boda Vase by Bertil Vallien Iridescent Finish Numbered 77638 Vintage
By Kosta Boda, Bertil Vallien, Boda
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Beautiful, decorative, signed designer glass vase from the 1960s by Bertil Vallien for Boda Glasbruk, Sweden. The vase features blue glass with color crumbs and a polished pontil. Th...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Luster
Handcrafted Yellow Beige Art Glass Vase Kosta Boda Style, 1980s
By Kosta Boda
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted rectangular beige art glass flower vase in Kosta Boda style. In the style of Designer Bertil Vallien Art glass vase, circa 1980 for Kosta Boda. ...
Glass, Art Glass
Bertil Vallien Kosta Boda Swedish Confetti Art Glass Vase
By Bertil Vallien
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A rare and striking Swedish art glass vase made for Kosta Boda by renowned glass maker Bertil Vallien (Swedish, b.1938) and dating from the 1970’s. The square bodied vase is decorated in colored confetti pattern and and is one of a series of similarly designed pieces which Vallien produced during the 1970’s. The vase is hand blown and made in thick opaque blue glass...
Blown Glass
$785
H 9.25 in Dm 7.25 in
Art Glass Crystal Vase by Anna Ehrner, Kosta Boda, Sweden, Signed, Excellent
By Kosta Boda, Anna Ehrner
Located in Kansas City, MO
Heavy, thick crystal vase designed by Anna Ehrner and signed A. Ehrner, Kosta Boda. Also retains the Kosta Boda label. This piece is in mint condition.
Art Glass
$859
H 13.5 in Dm 6.25 in
Mid Century Modern Art Glass Large Vase for Kosta Boda by Ulrica Hydman Valliens
By Kosta Boda, Ulrica Hydman-Vallien
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic simple and elegant designer Art Glass vase by Ulrica Hydman-Valliens for Kosta Boda. Open Minds is the vases name as it was blown in different sizes, this example being a t...
Art Glass
$455
H 4.93 in Dm 8.08 in
Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda – ‘CanCan’ Art Glass Bowl, Model 59145, Sweden, 1990
By Kjell Engman, Kosta Boda
Located in Bochum, NRW
A vibrant and collectible art glass bowl from the *“CanCan”* series, designed by esteemed Swedish glass artist **Kjell Engman** for **Kosta Boda** in the early 1990s. This hand-blown...
Glass
Vintage "Antikva" Bud Vase by Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda, Bertil Vallien
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage "Antikva" bud vase by Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda, circa 1970s. The vase is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 3.5"D x 6.5"H and ...
Art Glass
$360Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.5 in W 2.75 in D 2 in
Poncho Green Art Glass Catwalk Sculpture by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda Sweden
By Kjell Engman, Kosta Boda
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice poncho green art glass "Catwalk" sculpture / figurine by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda Sweden, circa 1980s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cra...
Art Glass
C. 1930-50 Signed Kosta, Sweden Perfume Bottles
By Kosta Boda
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1930-50 pair of signed Kosta, Sweden perfume bottles. The modernsim sterling silver tipped stoppers are by International sterling. One with 9/16" chip on bottle rim. 5.25" h.,...
Silver
Sold
H 3.14 in W 1.96 in D 1.57 in
Sommerso crystal 'Ventana' perfume flacon made and signed by Mona Morales, Kosta
By Kosta Boda, Mona Morales-Schildt
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
Mona Morales Schildt is regarded as one of Sweden's most talented glass designers. Her objects can be seen in museums and art galleries all over the world. Her work always holds an e...
Blown Glass
Sold
H 3.14 in W 1.96 in D 1.57 in
Sommerso crystal 'Ventana' perfume flacon made and signed by Mona Morales, Kosta
By Kosta Boda, Mona Morales-Schildt
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
Mona Morales Schildt is regarded as one of Sweden's most talented glass designers. Her objects can be seen in museums and art galleries all over the world. Her work always holds an e...
Blown Glass
Erik Hoglund Glass Decanter for Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in Los Angeles, CA
People decanter by Erik Hoglund for Kosta Boda, c.1950s, Sweden. This piece features a clear blown glass vessel and glass stopper with Hoglund's signature glass "people" figures. Sig...
Glass
Sold
H 14.38 in W 5.5 in D 3.25 in
Kjell Engman Kosta Boda Fidji Collection Colorful Crystal Bud Vase Scandinavian
By Kjell Engman, Kosta Boda
Located in Miami, FL
Fidji Collection Mid-Century Modern long neck bottle, art glass weed vase designed by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda made in Sweden. Lead-free crystal in the colors inspired by a rainb...
Crystal
Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda Rainbow Glass Vessel or Glass Object Vase
By Kjell Engman, Kosta Boda
Located in North Miami, FL
This beautiful Swedish glass object vase or vessel is signed and numbered K.Engman 488-38 Kosta Boda. It is delicate in weight and delicate in beautiful shape and color. It has an et...
Glass
Large Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda Rose, Ruby, White Art Glass Vase, 1970s
By Kosta Boda, Bertil Vallien
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Large exquisite Swedish Mid-Century Modern "Artiskok" (Artichoke) art glass vase from the Boda Artist Collection. By acclaimed Swedish glass artist Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda in t...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass