Kosta Boda is in fact three factories in the villages
Kosta, Boda and Aafors in Småland, Sweden. Each of them
individually have exciting histories and experiences, but they
stand together in the Brand "Kosta Boda". In Sweden the whole area
is called "Glasriket" ("The Glass Empire" or "Kingdom of
Crystal").
Kosta
Founded in 1742 at the request of King Frederik I. During the
first150 years, production primarly included window glass, luxery
drinking-glasses (for the Royal Family) and church chandeliers. As
times changed Kosta began the production of artist created glass
products. Artists were engaged directly at the glassworks and the
production line changed into a totally different expression in
variousstyles.
Boda
The Boda Glassworks was founded in 1864. Designers were not
attached to the glassworks untill the change of the century.
Åfors
Founded in the parish of Kalmar in 1876 by a family of
glassblowers from Kosta. Today this is where the very famous
glassartist Bertil Valliens and his wife Ulrica Hydman-Valliens
works in their big studio. Bertil Valliens is,without competition
"The Grand Old Man" of Swedish glass. His creations are represented
at well-esteemed art-museums all over the world. Co-operation
between the glassworks commenced in the 1960'ties.
Since 1976 the three works were merged. KostaBoda (KB) has
obtained a solid position globally, selling in allmost every
country. Since the fall of 1997, the company has been part of the
art-concortium Royal Scandinavia. Glass from KostaBoda is not for
everybody. KostaBoda is expensive, as art is. Their products are
vigorously copied in countries with cheap labour. KostaBoda
considers that a compliment. We need to experiment and
think new thoughts.
Kosta Boda
KostaBoda is actually three factories in the villages
Kosta, Boda and Aafors in Småland, Sweden. Each of them
individually have exciting histories and experiences, but they
stand together in the Brand "Kosta Boda". In Sweden the whole area
is called "Glasriket"("The Glass Empire" or "Kingdom of
Crystal").
Kosta:
Founded in 1742 at the request of King Frederik
I, by two Acountry-chiefs from Staël and Kalmar parish, also
generals in the Karl XII army. The name originates from the
founders Anders ko skull, governor of Kalmar and Georg Bogislaus
Staël von Holstein, governor of Kronoberg - Ko-Sta. Brave and
important men, who founded the oldest and biggest glassworks in
Sweden.
During the first 150 years, the production primarly included
window glass (for the building of the Tessin Castle in Stockholm),
luxury drinking glasses (for the Royal Family) and church
chandeliers. As a consequence of the industrial revolution major
changes were made. Half the production at the Kosta Glassworks
still was window glass. Competition increased, and an increase in
the demand for ornamental glass and glass for the everyday
household forced Kosta to make changes in the production line.
Inspiration was found in Germany and later in France, where ideas
for design and shapes were copied.
Kosta opened their own shop in Stockholm in
1866, and by the 1870'ties Kosta applied to become a
registered company. The biggest threat to the glassworks came
during World War II. Closing the works was considered, but the
young Axel F. Hummel (not related to Maria Innocensia Hummel,
Germany) transformed the works into a modern glass-industry. The
works survived by producing series of preservation jars, exported
to most of the world. As late as in the middle of the
19th century, Kosta was the only glassworks within the
south-eastern part of "Småland". Within the next 50 years 48 new
glassworks were established in this area.
As times changed Kosta took up producing artist created glass
products. Artists were engaged directly at the glassworks and the
production line changed into a totally different expression in
various styles. By 1970 Kosta experienced major increases in the
export of figurines and in the number of turists visiting the
glassworks. Kosta was bought by Uppsala-Ekeby in 1975. Merged with
Boda and Åfors in 1976, to form Kosta-Boda.
Boda:
The Boda Glassworks was founded in 1864.
Designers were not attached to the glassworks untill the change of
the century. Between 1953 and 1973 the artist Erik Höglund worked
at Boda, and made Swedish glass worldfamous. From their studios at
this glassworks, the artists Monica Backström and Kjell Engman now
create their products.
Merged with Kosta and Aafors in 1976, to form KostaBoda.
Åfors:
Founded in the parish of Kalmar in 1876 by a family of
glassblowers from Kosta. Today this is where the very famous
glassartist Bertil Valliens and his wife Ulrica
Hydman-Valliens work in their big studio. Bertil Valliens
is, without competition "The Grand Old Man" of Swedish glass. His
creations are represented at well-esteemed art-museums all over the
world.
Also at Åfors, the artist Gunnel Sahlin has
created her colourful vases in dazzling orange, clear limegreen and
lemon yellow.
Åfors merged with Kosta and Boda in 1976, to form KostaBoda. The
atmosphere at Åfors is very interesting, exciting and innovative
with three internationally famed artists, totally enthusiastic
creating in their unique style. Several new techniques and styles
have been developed in this studio. Works-church-services are held
at Åfors, reintroducing an old tradition. The service simply takes
place in the middle of the production area.
"Kingdom of Crystal" gives you the opportunity
of testing an old dish, carrying a history of some three or four
hundred years. The name of the dish is "Hyttsill" (Hut-herring).
The dish consists of (glass-)oven-baked herring, bacon. sausages,
baked potatoes, flavoured butter and bread with butter. In
the old days, the glass-huts were probably the only places offering
warm rooms in the winter. Not only the glassblower, but the rest of
the village too, as well as by passing wanderers sought out the
glass-hut, for a good meal and a warm night.
Today you have the possibility of eating this ancient dish as
well as testing your luck in the art of glassblowing. Co-operation
between the glassworks Kosta, Boda and Åfors commenced in the
1960'ties. 1976 the three works merged and became KostaBoda (KB),
and the company has acquired a solid position globally, selling in
allmost every country, and in Norway in particular. Close to 20
percent of the total turnover comes from Norway. Therefore KB
established a subsidiary in Norway in 1972.
From the fall of 1997, the company was a part of the
art-concortium Royal Scandinavia.
From the 1st of June 2005 KostaBoda is part of the New
Wave Group. The designer-group at KostaBoda today consists
of Monica Backström, Olle Brozén, Anne Ehrner, Kjell
Engman, Ulrica Hydman-Vallien, Anne Nilsson, Gunnel Sahlin, Bertil
Vallien, Ann Wåhlström and Göran Wärff. The glass from
KostaBoda is not for everybody. KostaBoda is expensive, but art is
allowed to be. Their products are vigorously copied in countries of
cheap labour. KostaBoda considers that a compliment. We
need to experiment and think newthoughts.