If you've ever spotted a vibrant glass vase resembling modern art or a sculpted glass head staring back from a shelf, there's a better-than-average chance you were looking at a piece from Kosta Boda. With its fearless use of colour, expressive shapes, and a history stretching back to the 1700s, Kosta Boda is not your average crystal maker. It's Scandinavian glass with personality.
Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting to explore decorative art glass, Kosta Boda offers something wildly unique: handcrafted design objects that walk the line between functional décor and sculpture. This week's blog explores Kosta Boda glass, the bold Scandinavian art glass that breaks the mold.
History of Kosta Boda
Founded in 1742 in the Swedish province of Småland, Kosta (later merged with Boda) began as a traditional glassworks producing utilitarian wares, including bottles, window panes, and table glass. But by the 20th century, the company had reinvented itself, focusing on art glass designs that helped define the modern Scandinavian aesthetic.
The 1960s and '70s were a turning point, as Kosta Boda embraced bold experimentation, studio collaborations, and vibrant, expressive forms. This new direction attracted international attention, making the company a leader in collectible art glass.
What Sets Kosta Boda Apart?
Unlike traditional glassmakers who prioritize symmetry and clarity, Kosta Boda thrives on the unexpected. Their pieces are often playful, abstract, richly coloured, and sometimes even bordering on surreal. Most are hand-blown, hand-painted, or sandblasted in small batches, making each one a distinct work of art.
What sets Kosta Boda apart is its focus on individual artists. The company is structured around its studio designers, who are treated more like fine artists than anonymous factory technicians. Each has a recognisable style, and most sign their work—a significant factor for collectors.
Notable Kosta Boda Glass Designers
Kosta Boda's reputation is closely tied to the visionary artists behind the glass. Here are a few names every collector should know:
Bertil Vallien
Best known for his sand-cast glass sculptures, especially his enigmatic "heads" and boat-shaped forms. Vallien's work often explores themes of myth, identity, and time. His pieces are among the most collectible Kosta Boda works today.
Ulrica Hydman-Vallien
Famous for her expressive painted glass featuring snakes, flowers, and faces. Her "Open Minds" series—featuring stylized female faces—is bold, unapologetic, and instantly recognisable.
Göran Wärff
Wärff's designs lean more minimal, focusing on form, light, and texture. His pieces often feature subtle colour gradients and curved silhouettes, offering a softer contrast to Kosta Boda's more eccentric designs.
Anna Ehrner
Known for her swirling colour effects and modern shapes, Ehrner's work is often both functional and artistic. Her vases and bowls are particularly popular for contemporary interiors.
Collecting Kosta Boda Glass
Whether you're drawn to sculptural pieces or functional objects, Kosta Boda glass is highly collectible. Here's what collectors often look for:
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Signed pieces - Most artist-designed pieces are signed on the base. Signatures help with authentication and valuation.
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Limited editions - Kosta Boda often produces numbered editions or small-run art glass.
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Studio lines vs. mass production - While some designs have been reproduced widely, early studio pieces and experimental runs are generally more valuable.
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Condition and originality - Like all glass, condition matters. Chips, cracks, or polishing can affect value, but well-preserved pieces from the 1970s and 1980s are especially sought after.
You’ll find various striking forms in Kosta Boda collections, from the vibrant Kosta Boda vases and sculptural centrepieces to playful hand-painted Kosta Boda bowls and expressive Kosta Boda glasses. Whether it’s a single Kosta Boda vase displayed on a shelf or a set of colourful tumblers for entertaining, these pieces bring art and function together in a way only Kosta Boda can.
How Kosta Boda Glass Compares to Other Notable Glassmakers
While brands like Waterford and Orrefors focus on clarity and refinement, Kosta Boda is about expression and boldness. You're more likely to see a Kosta Boda piece in an art gallery than in a formal dining room. It's glass for people who love colour, shape, and stories more than sparkle.
Collectors who love Murano glass, mid-century Scandinavian tableware, or décor often find themselves drawn to Kosta Boda's unapologetic personality and vivid presence.
Collectible Art Glass at Around the Block
If you’re looking for previously-owned Kosta Boda in Canada, check out Around the Block. We regularly feature distinctive art glass and crystal from around the world—including Kosta Boda, Orrefors, Lalique, and Murano. Our collection includes hand-signed studio pieces, sculptural vases, and unique décor items perfect for glass collectors or those looking to add bold artistic accents to their homes.
Visit us in Toronto or browse online to explore glass and crystal that brings creativity, character, and colour to your collection.
