Kosta Boda
Our eclectic product range is hand-picked by our owner Lucy, whose enthusiasm for Nordic design and eye for originality allows for a gently evolving selection of stylish finds.
We've been passionate about Swedish brand Kosta Boda ever since The Scandinavian Shop opened in the early 1970s - and by that time they were already well-established at the forefront of glassware and art glass design.
Founded in 1742 in the heart of Sweden's 'Kingdom of Crystal' in the Småland region, Kosta Boda is Sweden's oldest active glassworks. They've been creating exceptional glass for nearly 300 years, and they still maintain their worldwide reputation today for producing beautiful and innovative pieces. From traditional Swedish craftsmanship to bold contemporary art glass, Kosta Boda represents the perfect marriage of heritage and innovation.
Kosta Boda's continued success lies in an ability to fine-tune the traditional techniques of the craft of glassmaking while exploring the advantages of technology. They've also placed great emphasis on the close relationship between a highly-skilled team of craftspeople and some of the world's most distinguished designers of glass, which has resulted in some of our very favourite pieces.
It's the perfect recipe for a unique collection of glassware that will be cherished for years to come.
Have a look here at our curated collection of Kosta Boda pieces which includes glasses, vases, art glass, bowls and votives - or see some of our favourite pieces below:
Some of our Kosta Boda favourites
Gabba Gabba Hey gorillas by Ludvig Löfgren for Kosta Boda
Gabba Gabba Hey, the gorilla designed for Kosta Boda by Swedish glass artist Ludvig Löfgren, is always guaranteed to raise a smile. Part of Löfgren's My Wide Life series of jungle-inspired creatures, the huge gorilla has gathered a legion of fans worldwide - including us!
If you'd like to give a gorilla a home, the handmade crystal version comes in different colours and sizes (this one shown is the dark green large version), and there are even candles, too.
Crackle Vases by by Åsa Jungnelius for Kosta Boda
Designed for Kosta Boda by Åsa Jungnelius, one of Sweden's foremost glass designers, the Crackle vase is organic, expressive and striking. Mouth-blown at the Kosta Boda Glassworks in Sweden, the deliberately cracked, frosted ice effect is created by shocking hot glass with cold water.
This is the large pink vase, and it's a beautiful statement piece - but it's also available in clear or different colours (including a stunning green), and there are smaller vases, bowls and votives, too.
Blues Four Elements by Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda
Bertil Vallien is a world-famous glass artist. He's been working in partnership with Kosta Boda for over 60 years now, and has become renowned for his sand-cast sculptures. Vallien is hugely influential at Kosta Boda, both in recognition for his own glass art but also in the important role he plays as a source of inspiration for other artists and designers.
With such a profilic career, it's hard to choose a favourite - and if you ask us tomorrow it might be a different piece. But today we're choosing Blues Four Elements, which illustrates our relationship with the four elements.
Kappa recycled vases by Mimmi Blomqvist for Kosta Boda
Mimmi Blomqvist's vases take their name, Kappa, from the bubble of glass which rises up over the edge of the glass during the production process - an apt name for these mouth-blown pieces which skillfully transform excess shards of glass from the Kosta Boda glassworks into beautiful modern art glass
The mouth-blown process makes each piece unique, as do the small bubbles which form during the process. And the mixed pigments used in their making add to that individuality with variations in colour from blue to grey. This one shown is the large Kappa vase in blue, which we love.
But if you'd rather have the same glorious forms in clear glass, you can.
Snowball votives by Ann Wärff for Kosta Boda
We can't talk about Kosta Boda without mentioning the Snowball tealight holder - especially since we share a birth year!
Designed by Ann Wärff in 1973, this now iconic glass votive is inspired by the traditional Swedish snowball lanterns which were seen lighting up the landscape on snowy winter nights - and the Snowball lives up to its name, the textured glass glowing with warmth when a tealight is lit inside.
The epitome of Nordic hygge, it's a world-wide favourite and a design classic.
Kosta Boda's a perfect way to bring a touch of classic Scandinavian design and Swedish glass artistry into your home, from iconic votives and statement vases to stunning art glass sculptures.
See our Kosta Boda collection →
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