Vintage Kosta Boda glass designed by Monika Backstrom

The Kosta Glassworks (Kosta Glasbruk) were founded in Sweden in 1742 and are the earliest glassworks still in operation in Sweden. The name was derived from the last names of the two founders, Anders Koskull, and Georg Bogoslaus Stael von Holstein, giving "Ko-Sta"

It's early production was utilitarian items including window glass, and later chandeliers, wine and beer glasses.

Kosta began producing art glass after 1897 and the company won awards at the 'Celebration of Electricity' fair in Paris in 1900. The designers who worked for Kosta were instrumental in creating the styles of the Swedish Arts & Craft Movement, and displaying the quality of Scandinavian glass designs around this time.

In the 1950's Vicke Lindstrand, who had previously worked for Orrefors, joined Kosta as artistic director, where he remained until 1973. As artistic director he was able to influence the design philosophy of Kosta, and during more... his employment more and more colour was introduced into the Kosta designs.

Other well known Kosta designers include Goran Warff, Monika Backstrom, Ulrica Hydman-Vallien and Bertil Vallien and examples of their work appear frequently at auction.

In 1970 the Kosta company merged with three other glassworks: Boda, founded in 1864, Afors founded in 1896 and Johansfors founded in 1891 under the name AB Åforsgruppen.

In 1976 the company name was changed to Kosta Boda and since 1989, has been part of the Orrefors Kosta Boda group. In 1992 the Johansfors glassworks was bought by a group of former employees and is no longer a part of the Kosta Boda group. less...