Vintage Kosta Boda glass designed by Vicke Lindstrand

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 & more... 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 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...

Vicke Lindstrand was born in 1904, in Gothenburg, Sweden. He studied commercial art and worked in commercial illustration before beginning his career at the glass manufacturer Orrefors in 1925. He pioneered more daring art glass designs at Orrefors and together with Edvin Ohrstrom and Knut Bergqvist he invented the Ariel technique, in which a coloured layer of glass is encased by a clear layer and onto this “blank” a design is applied by sandblasting. This is then encased in clear glass and it is heated again and blown into its final form and size. In 1950 he joined Kosta Glasbruk more... as an artistic director before his retirement in 1973. At Kosta, he was the dominant designer, lending his name to many now classic designs.

Lindstrand's work is characterized by its bold, colourful, and often abstract forms. He was influenced by a wide range of sources, including folk art, nature, and modern art. His designs often feature geometric shapes, organic forms, and playful patterns. Lindstrand was a prolific designer, and he created a wide range of glassware, including vases, bowls, figurines, and lighting. His work was exhibited in major museums around the world, and he received numerous awards for his work, including the Lunning Prize in 1955 and the Prince Eugen Medal in 1971.

Although best known as a glass designer, he was also a textile artist, illustrator, painter, sculptor and ceramist.

Lindstrand's work had a major impact on the development of Swedish glass design. He was one of the leading figures in the "Swedish Grace" movement, which emphasized simplicity, functionality, and beauty. His work helped to bring Swedish glass to the attention of the world, and it continues to be admired by collectors and designers today.

Lindstrand died in 1983, in Kosta, Sweden. less...