Kosta

Kosta, now known as Kosta Boda, is the oldest and one of the most famous glassworks in Sweden boasting an impressive 270 years old legacy. The first furnaces were lit in 1742 and have been burning ever since. The now internationally recognisable name was coined by the founders, who combined their surnames Ko(skull) + Sta(el). The glassworks became so renowned that its location was named ‘Kosta’ and the region ‘The Kingdom of Crystal’.

Originally, the glassworks produced more functional products like windows, glassware and lighting. The direction changed when Kosta merged with Reijmyre in 1903 and the focus switched to fine art glass and tableware developed by celebrated designers – like Vicke Lindstrand, who served as Artistic Director from 1950-1973. The idea to employ their own designers set their work apart from the competition and ushered in a period that was both highly innovative and creative.

Vintage Kosta has become a hallmark of mid-century Swedish design and is highly valued by collectors. Still to this day, many of Kosta Boda’s most prestigious designers, such as Göran Wärff and Kjell Engman, have studios based on site so that they can work closely with the glass artisans.

This photo, taken by Jan Erik Anderbjörk at Kosta glassworks in 1958, shows Vicke Lindstrand overseeing one of his designs being created by master glassblower Bengt Heintze.