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.
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
$295
H 14.5 in W 10 in D 5 in
Pair of Rock Crystal, Lead Crystal, and Brass Candelabra, Late 19th Century
Located in valatie, NY
Pair of rock crystal, lead crystal, and brass candelabra, late 19th century. This pair of candelabras have a series of large rock crystal beads supporting their stems topped by a pin...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Brass
Set of 3 Crystal Candlesticks by Oleg Cassini
By Oleg Cassini
Located in New York, NY
Set of three (3) crytsal candlesticks, signed Oleg Cassini. USA, circa 1970. Dimensions: Base: 3.25 inches x 3.25 inches Height: 6 inches, 8 inches, 10 inches (respectively)
Crystal
Art Deco Candelsticks by Feigl & Morawetz, 1930s Set of 2
Located in Verviers, BE
Art Deco Pair Candelsticks Feigl & Morawetz – Libochovice Czechoslovakia Pattern number 1388 Excellent condition. looks simply stunning. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with ...
Art Glass
$237 / item
H 7.88 in W 3.15 in D 7.88 in
Ghidini 1961 Omini the Walkman Tall Candlestick in Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
By Ghidini 1961, Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Candleholder in brass Omini is a family of products that plays on the inclusion and the relationship between the human figure with a series of monolithic objects from geometric and ...
Brass
$237 / item
H 7.88 in W 3.15 in D 7.88 in
Ghidini 1961 Omini the Thinker Tall Candlestick in Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
By Ghidini 1961, Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Candleholder in brass Omini is a family of products that plays on the inclusion and the relationship between the human figure with a series of monolithic objects from geometric and ...
Brass
$237 / item
H 7.88 in W 3.15 in D 7.88 in
Ghidini 1961 Omini the Diver Tall Candlestick in Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
By Ghidini 1961, Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Candleholder in brass Omini is a family of products that plays on the inclusion and the relationship between the human figure with a series of monolithic objects from geometric and ...
Brass
$237 / item
H 7.88 in W 3.15 in D 7.88 in
Ghidini 1961 Omini the Climber Tall Candlestick in Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
By Stefano Giovannoni, Ghidini 1961
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Candleholder in brass Omini is a family of products that plays on the inclusion and the relationship between the human figure with a series of monolithic objects from geometric and ...
Brass
Art Nouveau Brass Pair of Wall Mount Candlesticks, 1930s
Located in Verviers, BE
Art Nouveau brass pair of Wall Mount candlesticks 1930s Originel Patina Excellent condition. looks simply stunning. If you have any questio...
Brass
$2,650 / set
H 11 in Dm 4.75 in
Fine Pair of French Empire Dore Bronze & Cut Crystal Ormolu-Mounted Candlesticks
Located in Roslyn, NY
An elegant French Empire or neoclassical pair of doré bronze and cut crystal ormolu-mounted candlesticks. Measures: 4.75W x 11 H.
Crystal, Bronze
$228 / item
H 5.67 in W 3.15 in D 5.67 in
Ghidini 1961 Omini the Thinker Short Candlestick in Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
By Ghidini 1961, Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
candleholder in brass Omini is a family of products that plays on the inclusion and the relationship between the human figure with a series of monolithic objects from geometric and ...
Brass
$228 / item
H 5.67 in W 3.15 in D 5.67 in
Ghidini 1961 Omini the Walkman Short Candlestick in Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
By Ghidini 1961, Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Candleholder in brass. Omini is a family of products that plays on the inclusion and the relationship between the human figure with a series of monolithic objects from geometric and...
Brass
$228 / item
H 5.67 in W 3.15 in D 5.67 in
Ghidini 1961 Omini the Diver Short Candlestick in Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
By Stefano Giovannoni, Ghidini 1961
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Candleholder in brass Omini is a family of products that plays on the insertion and relationship between the human figure and a series of monolithic objects with a geometric and min...
Brass
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
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
Substantial Scandinavian Crystal Candle Stick Holders, Sweden, 1990s
By Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial pair of Scandinavian clear crystal and gold hand-painted candlestick holders by Kosta Boda from Sweden, circa 1990s. With maker's mark as show in image #1...
Crystal, Gold