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.
$760Sale Price / set|20% Off
Crystal Wine Glasses by Kosta Boda Sweden Scandinavian Modern
By Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of four (4) rare vintage Kosta Boda crystal wine or water glasses, Midcentury Modern period, circa mid-20th century, Sweden. With maker's mark etched "Kosta" on botto...
Crystal
Set of 12 Extra Tall Water Goblets by Kosta Sweden
By Kosta Boda
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1950s, by Kosta, Sweden. These sublime extra-tall crystal water goblets set a spectacular table. Their dramatic silhouette, long elegant stem, and intricately-cut design featur...
Crystal
Swedish Postmodern Aperitif Glass Kosta Boda, 1990s
By Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
A Swedish crystal and art-glass aperitif glass, hand-painted and initialed by artist, for Kosta Boda, Postmodern period, circa late-20th century, 1990s, Sweden. Beautiful colors include blue hand-painted design around base of crystal bowl, green and black art glass just below, a red art glass stem with red hand-painted design, finished with a yellow art glass base. Artist initials on the side of glass bowl and marker's mark at base, showing both authentication marks in last two images. Sip in style with this beautiful piece of art. Dimensions: 4.38" Height. Emerald green Champagne coupes glasses...
Crystal
Vintage Kosta Boda Swedish Cut Glass Cocktail Shaker
By Kosta Boda
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage Swedish cut glass cocktail shaker. By Kosta Boda. With a cut lattice pattern to the body and the stopper and a frosted neck. Marked to the side with a gold crown / ...
Cut Glass
$636Sale Price|20% Off
'Macho' Decanter by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda
By Kjell Engman, Kosta Boda
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
'Macho' Decanter by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda Kjell Engman’s Macho Series 2000-2011 The 'Macho' Decanter by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda is a stunning and iconic piece of glass artistry that belongs to Kjell Engman's acclaimed Macho Series, which he designed between the years 2000 and 2011. Kjell Engman, a renowned Swedish glass artist born in 1946, has left an indelible mark on the world of glass design, and this series stands as a testament to his creative genius. This unique decanter...
Crystal, Metal
Set of eight Signe Persson Melin Kosta Boda whiskey or rocks glasses
By Signe Persson-Melin, Kosta Boda
Located in Ferndale, MI
Eight whiskey or rocks glasses designed by Signe Person Melin ( 1925 - 2022 ) . Produced by Kosta Boda Sweden in the early 1970's . Thick glass base with flared opening . The set i...
Glass
$840 / set
H 2.5 in Dm 3 in
Set of 12 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Rocks Glasses, Handblown in Sweden
By Deborah Ehrlich
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal rocks glasses have become a modern classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is designed for t...
Crystal
$420 / set
H 5.5 in Dm 2.38 in
Set of 6 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Cocktail Glasses, Handblown in Sweden
By Deborah Ehrlich
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal cocktail glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is design...
Crystal
$420 / set
H 4 in Dm 2.63 in
Set of 6 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal White Wine Glasses Handblown in Sweden
By Deborah Ehrlich
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal white wine glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is designed for the extraordinary strength and ...
Crystal
Set of 6 Cera Old World Map Double Rocks Glasses
By Cera
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Set of 6 Cera Old World Map Double Rocks Glasses. These glasses are larger than rerocks glasses. Decorated with old world maps in tan coloration and 22k...
Glass
$999
H 5.12 in Dm 2.76 in
Clear Glass miniature "People" Decanter by Erik Höglund, Boda, Sweden, 1950s
By Boda, Erik Höglund
Located in Hägersten, SE
"People" decanter designed by Erik Höglund. Rare small size. produced by Boda during the 1950s. Made from hand blown clear glass. Good vintage condition with age related wear and pat...
Blown Glass
Set of Twelve Crystal Martini Glasses by Christinenhutte, Germany
By Christinenhutte
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Germany, 1970s. This set of twelve cocktail glasses is made in fine ground and blown crystal. It is a vintage set, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can ...
Crystal
Set of 2 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Water Glasses, Hand Blown in Sweden
By Deborah Ehrlich
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these hand blown crystal water glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is designed fo...
Crystal
$140 / set
H 5.88 in Dm 1.75 in
Set of 2 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Champagne Glasses, Hand Blown in Sweden
By Deborah Ehrlich
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these hand blown crystal champagne glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is des...
Crystal
$420 / set
H 5.88 in Dm 1.75 in
Set of 6 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Champagne Glasses, Handblown in Sweden
By Deborah Ehrlich
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal champagne glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is desi...
Crystal
$840 / set
H 5.88 in Dm 1.75 in
Set of 12 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Champagne Glasses, Handblown in Sweden
By Deborah Ehrlich
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal champagne glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is desi...
Crystal
$420 / set
H 4 in Dm 2.63 in
Set of 6 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Red Wine Glasses, Handblown in Sweden
By Deborah Ehrlich
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal red wine glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is designed for the extraordinary strength and cl...
Crystal
$390 / set
H 3.38 in Dm 1.75 in
Set of 6 Deborah Ehrlich Simple Crystal Shot Glasses, Handblown in Sweden
By Deborah Ehrlich
Located in Accord, NY
Launched with Takashimaya in 1999, these handblown crystal white wine glasses have become a modern Classic. Each Deborah Ehrlich piece is designed for the extraordinary strength and clarity of Swedish crystal. The simplicity of the design, the thinness of the lip, the quality of the crystal and the perfect weight of these white wine glasses create a nuanced experience, and are the trademark details of her Simple Crystal collection...
Crystal
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 5.5 in Dm 3.69 in
Scandinavian Modern Cocktail, Martini or Champagne Coupe Glasses by Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of three (3) rare Midcentury Modern Scandinavian Modern Kosta Boda crystal cocktail, martini or Champagne coupe glasses, circa ...
Crystal
Decanter Set by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda
By Kosta Boda, Kjell Engman
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Great set of 3 decanters by Kosta Boda. This decanter was call "Macho" and was designed by Kjell Engman. You seldom see the 3-piece set. Set is in nice con...
Steel
Sold
H 6.25 in Dm 4 in
Designer Postmodern Art Glass Cocktail Brandy Glasses by Kosta Boda, '90s Sweden
By Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of Postmodern art glass cocktail or brandy cognac liquor spirits glasses by Designer Ken Done for Kosta Boda, Sweden, circa 1990s. These beau...
Crystal
Kosta Clear Swedish Glass Martini Margarita Cocktail Pitcher
By Kosta Boda
Located in Ferndale, MI
Clear glass hand held martini or drinks pitcher incised Kosta. Made in Sweden.
Glass
Set of Three Kosta Boda Stemmed Art Glasses
By Kosta Boda
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three Kosta Boda stemmed art glasses.
Art Glass
1970s Cork Ice Bucket by Signe Persson Melin for Boda Nova Sweden, Midcentury
By Kosta Boda, Signe Persson-Melin
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a 1970s Cork ice bucket designed by Signe Persson Melin for the company Boda Nova. The inner aluminium container is covered with a cork insulating layer. Mad...
Aluminum
Pair of Swedish 19th Century Kosta Boda Crystal Lidded Decanters
By Kosta Boda
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Swedish Kosta Boda cut crystal lidded decanters with silver plate collars both engraved “sherry”, late 1800s.
Crystal, Silver Plate